Entries Tagged 'Security Tips' ↓

Finals are almost here! Computing Services has a few helpful hints to keep in mind as the end of the semester nears.

Back up your files!

Please remember to backup any important documents that you might need for your classes!

Always keep important files stored in multiple locations. Having the only copy of an important file only on one computer or a thumbdrive could lead to data loss if that location gets corrupted or lost.

Your campus network drive, Myfiles.adams.edu, is backed up every evening by Computing Services. For more information about using the network drive, please visit this link:

https://howto.adams.edu/index.php/Student_Network_Drive#MyFiles.adams.edu

Beware of malicious software!

Computing Services has seen several instances of fake-antivirus infections on personal computers on campus. These are malicious programs that simulate legitimate anti-virus software, but instead will cause your computer to become more infected with other forms of spyware and malware.

Another malicious program called Cryptolocker will go as far as encrypt your personal data, making it unreadable.

Be suspicious of unfamiliar applications or anything that asks for your personal information! To protect against these kinds of software, be sure to run your Windows Updates, update your AntiVirus, and update any third party applications, such as Adobe Flash or Java.

If you have any questions please contact the Computing Services Helpdesk at 19-587-7741 or email us at computingservices@adams.edu.

Thanks to everyone who participated in National Cyber Security Awareness Month this October! Cyber security is a shared responsibility of all who use web resources.

We covered many security topics this month! Here is a short summary:

Passwords – When was the last time you changed yours?

Passwords are critically important to protect your data. Make sure your password is strong and never share it with others.

Have you tried KeePass or Password Gorilla yet? To have a technician assist you call the Helpdesk at x7741 or email us at computingservices@adams.edu

http://howto.adams.edu/index.php/KeePass_Password_Manager

Mobile Device Security – Secure your mobile devices. Use pin codes and enable remote wipe.

Did you take the risk calculator quiz?

The higher your risk score, the more important likely you are to be targeted. It is important that you STOP.THINK.CONNECT!

http://staysafeonline.org/ncsam/resources/online-identity-risk-calculator

Remember, each and every one of us needs to do our part to make sure that our online lives are kept safe and secure. We need to keep security in mind all year long, not just in October.

Stay safe, and Happy Halloween!

NCSAM Website

http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam/about

Presidential Proclamation for NCSAM 2013

http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam/about

Free Computer Checkup Links

http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam/free-security-check-ups/

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the ASU Computing Services Help Desk at x7741 or via email at computingservices@adams.edu

This year is the 10^th Anniversary of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM)!

NCSAM is a broad effort by government, industry, and education to help everyone stay safe and secure online.  Adams State University is one of the partner champions for the campaign!

STOP.THINK.CONNECT is the national cyber security education and awareness campaign.

This October, you will see several posters around campus discussing NCSAM and ways that students and employees can help protect themselves, others, and the university while online. Computing Services will also be sending out several emails discussing ways to stay safe online.

Here’s more information on NCSAM!

http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam/

How vulnerable are you to fraud and online attacks? Take the quiz below to find out!

The higher your risk score, the more likely you are to be targeted. It is important that you STOP.THINK.CONNECT!

http://staysafeonline.org/ncsam/resources/online-identity-risk-calculator

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the ASU Computing Services Help Desk at x7741 or via email at computingservices@adams.edu

Thank you!

Computing Services

As the fall semester gets underway, I’m writing to remind you of the risks involved with illegal downloading and/or sharing of copyrighted music, movies, games and software over the Internet. Unauthorized obtaining, sharing or offering such copyrighted material is illegal and in violation of U.S. copyright law. If caught, you may face severe civil and criminal penalties, including prison and monetary damages. Anyone found to have infringed a copyrighted work may be liable for statutory damages of up to $30,000 for each work and, if found to be willful, that amount may be increased up to $150,000 for each work infringed. Movie and recording companies actively monitor the Internet to identify individuals who are illegally downloading and/or sharing movies and music via peer-to-peer networks.

ASU fully complies with Federal law and takes prompt action when notified that one of its students may be illegally downloading and/or sharing copyrighted material. University Policy 500-008, Unauthorized Downloading and File Sharing of Copyrighted Digital Materials, is located on the ASU Computing Services Website, at http://www.adams.edu/administration/computing/policies/policies.php. If caught, ASU penalties could include loss of access to the campus computer network, disciplinary action and in extreme cases, expulsion from the University.

You may think that the large movie or recording companies won’t bother prosecuting a single university-student downloading or sharing copyrighted material. Think again. Organizations such as the Recording Industry Association of America are serious about protecting their copyrighted material. In 2009, a Boston University graduate student was ordered to pay $675,000 for illegally downloading and distributing 30 songs. This comes out to $22,500, per incident, of copyright infringement. There are a number of online sources that provide legal alternatives for downloading or otherwise acquiring copyrighted material. A listing of many of these sites can be found at: http://www.educause.edu/legalcontent.

If you have specific questions regarding ASU’s Unauthorized Downloading and File Sharing Policy please contact the

ASU Computing Services Help Desk at 587-7741 or via email at computingservices@adams.edu.

Thanks and have a great semester!

Computing Services

Adams State University employees and students have recently been heavily targeted by phishing scams. Phishing occurs when scammers attempt to trick you into giving out your personal information, such as your username and password or your bank account information.

Adams State University will NEVER ask for your username and password via email. If the email asks you to click a link to verify your account or respond with your account information, it’s a phish!

Can you identify phishing scams? Take a few minutes to play the phishing game and find out!

http://www.onguardonline.gov/media/game-0011-phishing-scams

What do you do if you get a phishing email?

Do not click any links or reply to the email! You can forward phishing emails to spam@uce.gov or to reportphishing@antiphishing.org. The Anti-Phishing Working Group, a group of ISPs, security vendors, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, uses these reports to fight phishing. Once you’ve forwarded the message, please delete it.

If you suspect your account has been compromised please contact Computing Services immediately! We can be reached by calling 719-587-7741 or via email at computingservices@adams.edu

For more information on how to identify Phishing, including common scams and examples, please visit this link.

http://www.onguardonline.gov/phishing

President Obama has again declared October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month! You can read the White House statement here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/10/01/presidential-proclamation-national-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2012

The National Cyber Security Alliance team encourages everyone to STOP.THINK.CONNECT.

The internet is an incredible tool, but you must use caution to ensure that your personal information remains secure and to protect yourself from virus infections.

I have an antivirus, why do I still get virus infections?

Antivirus solutions can block viruses that they have rules or definitions for, but new malware is released daily. It is critically important that you update your antivirus often so you are protected against recent threats. Some viruses are installed by infected webpages. Some viruses exploit old versions of software, like Java or Adobe. Recently, more virus infections have been spreading through social media, such as Facebook and Skype. If you click on an infected message and then download and run a file, you may be bypassing the protection provided by your Antivirus program.

Keep a Clean Machine

• Keep security software current: Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats.
• Automate software updates: Many software programs will automatically connect and update to defend against known risks. Turn on automatic updates if that’s an available option.
• Protect all devices that connect to the Internet: Along with computers, smart phones, gaming systems, and other web-enabled devices also need protection from viruses and malware.
• Plug & scan: “USBs” and other external devices can be infected by viruses and malware. Use your security software to scan them.

Connect With Care

When in doubt, throw it out: Links in email, tweets, posts, and online advertising are often the way cybercriminals compromise your computer. If it looks suspicious, even if you know the source, it’s best to delete or if appropriate, mark as junk email.

• Protect your $$: When banking and shopping, check to be sure the sites is security enabled. Look for web addresses with “https://” or “shttp://”, which means the site takes extra measures to help secure your information. “Http://” is not secure.

When in doubt, ask us!

ASU ResNet is here to help you with Cyber Security and answer any questions you may have.

Like us on Facebook for more security tips or to ask questions! https://www.facebook.com/ASUResNet

You can also contact us at resnet@adams.edu, calling us at 719-587-7741 or stopping by ASU Computing Services.

Computing Services will be sending out security tips during the month of October to celebrate National Cyber Security Awareness Month! For more information on National Cyber Security Awareness Month, please click the link below.

http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam

***Phishing***

We have seen an increase in phishing attempts recently. Phishing emails, calls, and other scams are designed to trick you into sharing your personal information with a cybercriminal. Cybercriminals will attempt to steal passwords, credit card information, and other personal information.

Phishing emails can sometimes be cleverly crafted to look like they have been sent from Computing Services. Computing Services will never ask for your password via email!

If you receive a phishing email do not click on any links or respond to it, please delete it. You can also forward phishing emails to reportphishing@antiphishing.org if you would like to. When in doubt, please call us!

Here is more information on how to recognize phishing attempts:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-symptoms.aspx

Another example of the severity and seriousness of phishing comes from the recent “ransomware” scam that is detailed on the FBI link below:

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/august/new-internet-scam

If you have any questions about phishing or would like more information about National Cyber Security Awareness Month, please contact the Computing Services Helpdesk at 719-587-7741 or at computingservices@adams.edu.

National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), conducted every October since 2004, is an annual awareness-raising effort that seeks to encourage everyone to protect their networks and our nation’s critical cyber infrastructure.

Today’s Tip:

Keep a Clean Machine.

Keep security software current: Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system
are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats.

Automate software updates: Many software programs will automatically connect and update to defend
against known risks. Turn on automatic updates if that’s an available option..

Protect all devices that connect to the Internet: Along with computers, smart phones, gaming systems,
and other web-enabled devices also need protection from viruses and malware.

Plug & scan: “USBs” and other external devices can be infected by viruses and malware. Use your security
software to scan them

ascresnet@adams.edu
ASC ResNet Phone 719-587-8174
Computing Services HelpDesk 719-587-7741
Adams State College ResNet Page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adams-State-College-ResNet/186238211415807

One of the Computing Services staff members recently forwarded this phishing test:  http://www.sonicwall.com/phishing/

It’s not an easy test. Most of the Computing Services staff that took it missed at least one question, including me. We all thought the test provided some good clues on how to identify a phishing or spam email. Take the test and let me know what you think. Was it helpful or confusing? Did you learn something new?

Since we’re in the midst of income tax season, before you take the test, I’ll give you one hint. The IRS never conducts business via email.

Mike.

(The test is copyrighted by SonicWALL, Inc. and presented with its approval)

While email attachments are a popular and convenient way to send documents, they are also a common source of viruses. Use caution when opening attachments, even if they appear to have been sent by someone you know. Continue reading →