Author Archives: Matt Martin, Information Assurance (IA)
Wondering if that weird email you just got is a scam? Need to know how to get a new phone set up to do Duo two-factor authentication? Wondering how to secure your home network now that you are working and learning from home? Need to provide cybersecurity or privacy tips to a customer or colleague? You’ve got a… Read More »
Check out this new IT Security Tips for When You Work from Home video from ITS Information Assurance. It covers securing your devices and connections, protecting your privacy, and watching out for phishing, scams, and fraud. Please share it with others who may find it helpful. For more details and links to resources for working securely from home,… Read More »
You have probably had a crash course on the basics of videoconferencing over the past few weeks. Follow the IT security and privacy best practices in this new Tips for Safe Videoconferencing video from ITS Information Assurance to make security and privacy part of your videoconferencing routine. And please share it with others who might find it helpful.… Read More »
When you get a new smartphone, you need to reactivate the Duo Mobile app before you can get push notifications or generate passcodes. To do that, you’ll need a computer. Follow these steps to reactivate the Duo app: From your computer: Log in to a U-M service on the web through U-M Weblogin. When you get to the… Read More »
Beware! It’s that time of the year again! As you read this, criminals, fraudsters, and identity thieves are working to file fraudulent tax returns in your name and steal your tax refund. Information Assurance (IA) offers the following tips to help you protect yourself from identity theft and tax fraud: File your taxes as soon as possible to… Read More »
The holiday season is almost upon us, and you probably are already doing some online shopping. ITS Information Assurance offers the following tips to help you protect your personal information and devices when you shop online. Know who you are dealing with Limit your online shopping to merchants you know and trust. Beware rock-bottom prices. If a website… Read More »
If you’ve been logging in with Duo the same way for awhile, now is a good time to review your options and consider whether there are other methods that might work better for you. Duo Mobile app Advantages: Offers multiple login-approval methods (passcode, push notification; phone call and text message when installed on a smartphone). Works with or… Read More »
Don’t let Duo two-factor become a distraction when you travel. Review your options before you leave to make sure you’re prepared. While your regular Duo option may work, you could choose to use an alternative method that better suits your travel plans. Duo offers multiple options that are suited for different circumstances. The recommended travel option is the… Read More »
You can reduce the number of times you have to use Duo two-factor authentication when logging in at U-M Weblogin by checking the Remember me for 7 days box. With this feature, you will not be prompted for a two-factor authentication method at Weblogin over the next seven days, as long as you use the same computer and… Read More »
If you plan to use an internet connection to access U-M systems while off campus, you should secure your connection with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). When you use a U-M VPN, you are securely connected using a U-M network, regardless of where you are. This allows you to access U-M resources that require you to be on… Read More »
You put U-M systems and data at risk if you use your UMICH (Level-1) password for non-university services. If you use your UMICH email address and password to establish a personal account (for example, at LinkedIn), and that information is exposed in a data breach, your UMICH account is now at risk. If you have used your UMICH… Read More »
Have you ever seen a pop-up on your computer or received an unsolicited call urging you to contact “tech support?” Scammers sometimes impersonate IT support staff and claim something is wrong with your computer. They offer to help fix the problem—for a fee—but instead may steal your personal information or infect your computer with malicious software. This can… Read More »
Whether you are planning a vacation or professional trip, you will likely take along some combination of a smartphone, tablet, laptop, and other mobile devices. Follow these tips to safeguard both your own and the university’s data. Before you travel If you don’t need it, don’t travel with it. Plan which Duo options you will use and enroll… Read More »
Be smart and secure your home network so that only those you allow can access it. This protects your privacy and networked devices. There are two basic steps to securing your home network: 1. Update all your Internet-enabled devices with the latest operating systems, web browsers, and security software. This includes any devices that access your wireless network.… Read More »
If you use your personal devices—smartphone, laptop, tablet, and so on—for work, you are responsible for appropriately managing and securing them, as well as for meeting the obligations described in Security of Personally Owned Devices that Access or Maintain Sensitive Institutional Data (SPG 601.33). Your unit may have additional restrictions beyond those found in the SPG. Check with… Read More »
U-M Information Assurance (IA) offers tips to help you protect yourself from identity theft and tax fraud.
For the past 14 years, Information Assurance (IA) has engaged UM-Ann Arbor students, including medical students, with an online quiz designed to raise awareness about IT security issues and promote good IT security practices. This year’s quiz resulted in the second highest completion rate yet! From October 29 through November 2 a total of 7281 students participated. This… Read More »
Getting questions about U-M’s move to two-factor for Weblogin for faculty and staff? New and updated materials are available that you can refer people to. The online and print materials are intended to help you prepare for January 23, 2019, when two-factor for Weblogin will be turned on for all faculty, staff, student employees, and sponsored affiliates of… Read More »
We all should be in the habit of keeping our software up-to-date. This is necessary because vendors and others regularly identify security vulnerabilities in software and apps, and then release updates and patches to fix them. Additionally, keeping your software current enables you to take advantage of other improvements, such as better performance or new functionality. Personal computers… Read More »
Many popular services and websites offer two-factor authentication. Information Assurance (IA) encourages you to turn it on whenever it’s available to protect your personal accounts. Duo may be an option If you already use the Duo Mobile app for two-factor at U-M, you might be able to use it with your personal, non-university accounts. If a service’s instructions… Read More »