October 13, 2022 ALL

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Today: National Cybersecurity Awareness Month: If You Connect It, Protect It

John Carroll University is once again participating in the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month program run by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) to create awareness about Cybersecurity. This year’s awareness theme is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.”

This month, we will provide information and tips from leading cybersecurity organizations on protecting yourself online. Our goal is to help you make the most of today’s technology…safely and securely.

Tip#1: If you connect it, protect it
Given our many internet-connected devices and constant online presence, it is essential that we follow safe cybersecurity practices to protect ourselves online.

Facts and Figures
* Hackers attack every 39 seconds, on average 2,244 times a day. (University of Maryland)
* 56% of Americans don’t know what steps to take in the event of a data breach. (Varonis)
* 46% of organizations got all of their malware via email. (Verizon 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report)

Calls to Action
* Share with Care: Think before posting about yourself and others online. Consider what a post reveals, who might see it and how it might affect you or others. Consider creating an alternate persona that you use for online profiles to limit how much of your own personal information you share.

* Think before You Click: If you receive an enticing offer via email or text, don’t be so quick to click on the link. Instead, go directly to the company’s website to verify it is legitimate. If you’re unsure who an email is from — even if the details appear accurate — or if the email looks “phishy,” do not respond and do not click on any links or open any attachments found in that email as they may be infected with malware.

* When in Doubt, Throw It Out: Links in email, tweets, texts, posts, social media messages and online advertising are the easiest way for cyber criminals to get your sensitive information. Be wary of clicking on links or downloading anything that comes from a stranger or that you were not expecting. When available, use the “junk” or “block” option to no longer receive messages from a particular sender. Don’t trust those links.

* Own Your Online Presence: Every time you sign up for a new account, download a new app, or get a new device, immediately configure the privacy and security settings to your comfort level for information sharing. Regularly check these settings (at least once a year) to make sure they are still configured to your comfort.

Information Technology Services
jcu.edu/its