How to safely shop online
Protect yourself from tricks and scams when shopping online: Use secure and up-to-date software, devices, and networks.
Category Archives: Safe Computing
Keeping your family safe online: New devices for the holidays
Not much compares to the feeling of watching someone you love open that new iPad they’ve been begging for, or the milestone of receiving their very first smartphone. Unfortunately, the excitement of new devices during the holidays can be eclipsed if those devices allow cybercrime to enter your home. Many households claim an abundance of devices, including computers,… Read More »
Cybersecurity when traveling
During the holiday season, people in the U.S. take about 15 billion trips between 50 and 500 miles away from their homes (as estimated by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics). Visiting family or taking getaways is an excellent way to celebrate a season filled with holiday cheer. Unfortunately, it is also the time when cybercrime increases, making it… Read More »
Cybersecurity Challenge: Students pass pop quiz to win prizes
For more than 16 years, ITS Information Assurance (IA) has invited UM-Ann Arbor students, including medical students, to take an online quiz to raise awareness about IT security issues and promote best practices during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Those who score 90% or higher on the 10-question quiz are entered into a drawing for prizes. This year, students… Read More »
Two capabilities, one goal: Email security with Area 1 & Virtru
What’s one of the most important goals of IT security experts? It’s keeping your email secure. During this year’s SUMIT Reimagined online event series, Dennis Neil and brian cors presented on two tools that help protect our email: Area 1 and Virtru. Dennis Neil, IT Security Design and Engineering Manager in ITS Information Assurance (IA), explained how Area… Read More »
Mindful clicking: A cyber threat brief with the FBI
One of the many events held to celebrate October as Cybersecurity month was the Cyber Threat Brief with Scott Hellman from the FBI. This live discussion, hosted by Stanford University, centered on the most common cyber threats the FBI sees, how people are targeted, and basic methods to protect yourself. The amount of damage cyber attacks cost is… Read More »
Zoom security and privacy updates: Journey since implementation
This year, ITS Information Assurance’s annual SUMIT event included several virtual IT security/Information Assurance related events. One such event was the Zoom Security and Privacy Updates: Journey since Implementation presentation from Maggie Davidson and Asmat Noori. Maggie Davidson, Service Manager for Zoom in Support Services, provided valuable information about Zoombombing, including how Zoombombers obtain access to meetings, what… Read More »
Coming soon: Changes to the Duo Mobile application interface
Duo will soon see improvements and changes, including the approve button is now on the right.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month!
Each October, ITS Information Assurance (IA) celebrates Cybersecurity Awareness Month by reminding members of the university community about their shared responsibility to protect themselves and the U-M community and by sharing IT security and privacy tips. “Cybersecurity, as a topic, a news item, and as an imperative is on the rise,” stated Sol Bermann, U-M Chief Information Security… Read More »
Back up U-M data
Back up data to protect U-M and yourself.
Report phish to ReportPhish
Do your part to secure U-M resources by reporting suspected phishing email to ReportPhish@umich.edu .
New phishing curriculum for your unit
To help you provide phishing awareness training in your unit ITS Information Assurance (IA) has published new phishing curriculum materials on Safe Computing!
New training course: Practical guidance on HIPAA and Protected Health Information
Do people in your unit need training on meeting HIPAA requirements for working with Protected Health Information (PHI)? A new eLearning course in My LINC covers how to appropriately handle PHI in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA provides privacy and security rules that govern how PHI is collected, disclosed, and secured. For… Read More »
Three Student Privacy Conversation Starters: ITS staff present at ASU Digital Trust Summit
At the June 2021 Arizona State University (ASU) Digital Trust Summit, Svetla Sytch, ITS assistant director of privacy and IT policy, and Julia Silverman, an ITS intern fellow, shared the efforts U-M has taken to engage with the U-M community, and students in particular, in conversations about privacy. They outlined three initiatives that highlight the values of being open and honest, creating simple visual and multimedia materials, and working with students.
Hang up on phone scams
Recognize phone scams and hang up on fraud!
Be proactive and prepared for ransomware
If you manage U-M or unit systems, computers, or data, you are responsible for taking steps to protect them from ransomware. If you use U-M computing services, you are responsible for learning not to respond to phishing emails, which often provide entry to ransomware.
Duo for U-M VPN coming this fall
Coming in fall 2021, it is anticipated that use of Duo two-factor will be required when logging in to the U-M Virtual Private Network (VPN). That will provide added security not just for you, but for U-M networks and systems, too.
Security tips for using public WiFi
Use these tips to protect sensitive data when using free WiFi.
Secure your devices
Secure and encrypt your devices to protect U-M and your personal data.
Transfer files before leaving U-M or changing jobs
If you are changing jobs, retiring, or leaving U-M, move any files needed for university business somewhere that your colleagues can access and set appropriate permissions. This includes files on your computer; files in Google at U-M, Dropbox at U-M, and other online storage; and MCommunity groups. Use shared storage space when you can It is best to… Read More »