Stay Cyber-Smart During IT Security Awareness Month
October is IT Security Awareness Month, a good time to brush up on simple steps we can all take to help protect UMW accounts, information and systems from cyber threats.
Take a Second Look at Phishing Emails: Phishing emails are becoming harder to spot and are often aimed directly at work inboxes, mimicking messages from HR, payroll or even a colleague’s account. Before clicking a link or opening an attachment, take a moment to look for warning signs, including urgent requests for login credentials, unexpected attachments and sender addresses that are almost — but not quite — correct.
If a message seems suspicious, don’t click or reply. Use the Report Phishing button in your inbox or forward the message to abuse@umw.edu. Reporting takes only seconds and helps IT Security block the same message from reaching others across UMW.
Strengthen Your Passwords: Reusing passwords across work accounts or choosing passwords that are easy to guess can put UMW accounts and systems at risk. Use a unique passphrase for every work account, especially email and VPN logins. A passphrase made up of four or more random words can be stronger than a short, complex password — and easier to remember. Keep passwords secure and never share them, even with a trusted colleague.
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