Week 1: Basic cyber hygiene
October is European Cyber Security Month. This week's theme is basic cyber hygiene. Getting into a good cyber routine is not as hard as you might think, but it will make life much more difficult for cybercriminals.
Information ServicesEuropean cyber security month
Basic cyber hygiene: four quick wins
Strengthen your email passwords
We all know that we really should use a separate strong password for each of our online accounts. Most important of all are email accounts, both personal and work, as they contain a treasure trove of information. A strong password is one that is unique, long, and hard to guess. We recommend creating a strong password by choosing 3 random words, which aren't related to your interests or family.
Find out more about good password practice.
Run software and app updates
Always run updates as soon as possible because they often contain essential fixes to security weaknesses. You can use your device settings to schedule updates to run automatically.
Find out more about software and app updates.
Back up your data
Avoid losing data if your device is lost, stolen, damaged or infected by malware.
Protect your information by backing it up to a cloud-based storage system.
Think carefully about using an external hard drive for backups as it could be infected by malware or ransomware, if connected, or damaged, lost or stolen along with your device.
Find out more about backing up data.
Be careful what you post online
Do not make it easy for hackers. Make your online presence as private as you can. Know your privacy settings.
Find out more about safe social networking.
Learn more
Week 2: Expand your digital skills and education
This week's focus is on transforming your cyber skills and know-how. Here are three simple ways to do just that:
Complete your training
The first step is to complete the University's cyber security training.
The online module should take between 40 to 60 minutes to complete. It covers current threats and practical advice on how to stay safe online.
Attend an event
We're running a number of cyber-themed events this October. Find out more and book your place:
Week 3: Recognise cyber scams
Cyber scams can take many forms. We know to be wary of phishing emails. These try to trick us into revealing sensitive information or downloading malicious software. These scams can pretend to be from the University or other trusted organisations like banks. They often ask us to take urgent action.
So, how good are you at spotting a phish? Take the How is your phishing IQ? quiz to find out.
It’s not just email though. It could be SMS, phone calls or social media. Social Engineering scams can be elaborate and highly convincing by using snippets of information they know about us to make the scam more realistic.
This week’s post on the Let’s Talk Cyber blog describes the experience of Strathclyde student falling victim to such a scam.
Watch Get Safe Online's phishing scam video on Vimeo
Top tips to avoid scams
Never reveal confidential information such as your username, password, or PIN.
Never open email attachments or click on links in emails, texts, or social media posts from unknown sources.
Take a moment and trust your instincts. If it does not feel right, then it probably is not.
If you’re unsure about a call, email, or text you should:
- contact the organisation via the contact details published on their website
- use a different phone to call back on the number published on a website or bank card
- if you receive a notification of an issue with your account, log on via the main website rather than using any links in an email or SMS
Be careful what you post online.
Keep software up-to-date and use anti-virus.
Week 4: Emerging technology and privacy
Two-factor authentication
Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on your most important online accounts can help to keep your personal information private.
2FA adds an additional layer of security by combining your password with a second factor, like your mobile phone. This means that even if your password has been compromised, your account is protected by 2FA.
Many of the largest websites and services provide 2FA, but it's up to you to turn it on.
Are you a digital over-sharer?
New research by Get Safe Online has found that 21 people are targeted every minute as a result of unwittingly ‘oversharing’ on social media.
Find out more about safe social networking.