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 »
With the launch of the Michigan Healthcare Security Operations Center, Michigan Medicine is among the first in the nation working with four other healthcare organizations to continuously monitor and improve cybersecurity. The MI-HSOC is a group of highly-skilled teams that leverage shared technologies, process, and skills to prevent, detect, analyze, and respond to cybersecurity events. The new shared environment,… Read More »
Every October, Information Assurance (IA) leads a celebration of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) by hosting events, sharing tips, and reminding everyone of our shared responsibility to protect and secure university and personal systems and the sensitive information they contain. NCSAM is spearheaded by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This year,… Read More »
Antivirus software should be installed and kept up-to-date on all of your computers—both your own and those owned by the university. MiWorkspace computers already have antivirus software installed, and it is updated automatically. For U-M computers Information Assurance (IA) recommends these antivirus products that are licensed for use on UM-owned computers: Windows 8 and 10. Use Windows Defender,… Read More »
If you ever forget your UMICH (Level-1) password, you can efficiently recover your account access as long as you have already completed some simple, advance setup. ITS has long offered a self-service account recovery option, but many users were unaware of the advance setup requirement until it was too late. To address this gap, ITS is adding a… Read More »
Don’t let travel plans interrupt the protections provided by Duo. Duo offers multiple options to help you complete two-factor authentication when traveling. You may be able to use your regular Duo two-factor option, or you may need to use an alternative, depending on your travel plans. The recommended travel option is the Duo Mobile app on a smartphone… Read More »
Mark your calendars for SUMIT_2018, U-M’s 14th annual cyber security conference on Thursday, October 25. Learn more and register today! Security at University of Michigan IT (SUMIT) is the university’s flagship event for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Held at Rackham Auditorium, SUMIT is an exciting opportunity to hear recognized experts discuss the latest issues, trends, and threats in… Read More »
In the past months you may have noticed pop-up messages from websites informing you of an update in their privacy policy or asking if you understand that the company is using cookies to collect data about you. The increased disclosure is likely the result of a new law in Europe in effect since May 25: the General Data Protection… Read More »
Ever wonder what the people on the other end of a Hangouts session are really looking at on their screens? With a little help from machine learning, you might be able to take a peek over their shoulders. Based on research published by Daniel Genkin, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the College of Engineering,… Read More »
If you’re worried about the impact of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in your unit, take a deep breath and relax. The university has got your back. Sol Bermann, university privacy officer and interim chief information security officer, and David Grimm, associate general counsel, reassured attendees at a July 26 GDPR open forum that—with the help of… Read More »
Now you can get the security benefits of two-factor for Weblogin with fewer login prompts. The Duo Remember Me time was extended from 12 hours to seven days on August 25. Remember to select the checkbox if you want Duo to remember you. You’ll see the Remember Me checkbox when you log in to a U-M site or… Read More »
Phishing emails often include links to fake Weblogin pages that look exactly like the real one. If you log in to the fake page, your password is stolen, and your U-M account could be compromised. The only clue it’s a fraudulent login page is the URL. Before entering your UMICH (Level 1) password, check that the page’s web… Read More »
Researchers at U-M were part of a group that discovered a new processor vulnerability that could potentially put secure information at risk in any Intel-based PC manufactured since 2008. It could affect users who rely on a digital lockbox feature known as Intel Software Guard Extensions, or SGX, as well as those who utilize common cloud-based services,… Read More »
Ransomware is malicious software that can infect and encrypt files on your computers and other devices, preventing you from accessing them. Criminals use it to threaten victims with loss of their data unless they pay ransom in return for a “key” to unlock their folders, files, and devices. Ransomware typically gets on devices when people open infected email… Read More »
When the Equifax data breach impacting nearly 147 million people occurred just over a year ago most consumers took little to no action to protect themselves despite the risk of identity theft, U-M researchers found. In comprehensive interviews with 24 consumers, a team of researchers at the School of Information led by Yixin Zou and Florian Schaub found… Read More »
You know you need to check the URL before logging in, but wouldn’t it be great if your web browser did some of that checking for you? If you use Chrome and an extension from Information Assurance (IA), it can. The U-M Safe Computing Website Checker extension for Chrome warns you while you are using Chrome: When you… Read More »
Phishing attacks, data breaches, and identity theft have become common issues plaguing organizations the world over, including health systems and universities. The most significant step the Michigan Medicine community can take to protect their data, as well as that of our patients and research participants, is to use Duo with all web-based services that require U-M login. While 26,000… Read More »
The institutionally owned devices we use to do our work are kept secure by connecting regularly to the internal U-M network. Connecting ensures that our devices receive the patches and anti-virus protection that are typically installed automatically and daily whenever we are logged in. Effective August 16, 2018, Health Information Technology & Services (HITS) will implement a policy… Read More »
You can add protection for additional U-M systems, and for your personal information in Wolverine Access Employee Self-Service, by turning on two-factor for Weblogin. Two-factor provides additional security in case your UMICH (Level-1) password is stolen. The U-M Information Assurance team strongly recommends that you turn on two-factor to better protect your UMICH account and U-M systems and… Read More »