As you begin the new school year, we want to remind everyone about the importance of cybersecurity and protecting their online information. With online learning and activities, we must take steps to keep our devices, accounts, and data secure. Welcome back, Bantams!
Here are some tips to help you stay safe online!
Create strong passwords and keep them secret. Choose strong, secure passwords and keep them confidential. A good password should be at least 12 characters long and combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols—for example, something like “P@ssw0rdR3v!ved” (but don’t use this exact one). Alternatively, you can use a passphrase—a longer phrase that’s easy to remember and may include spaces, such as “Dancing Lions Roar!” Never share your passwords with anyone, and avoid using the examples provided here.
Be cautious of emails, text messages, and social media posts that request personal information. If you receive an unexpected message asking for sensitive details—such as your Social Security number, credit card information, or even a request to talk from someone claiming to be the President of the college—do not respond directly. Instead, verify the request by reaching out to the organization or individual using a trusted contact method, such as the phone number listed on their official website.
Be alert for back-to-school scams. At the start of the academic year, students are often targeted by scams aimed at stealing money or personal information. Watch out for:
- Scholarship and financial aid scams
- Fake tuition payment services
- Textbook rental or book-buying scams
- Housing and roommate scams
- Bogus tutoring services
- Fraudulent job offers
- Fake file-sharing links claiming to be from services like Google Docs, OneDrive, Box, or Dropbox.
Students should be especially skeptical of unsolicited job offers received through email or text messages that promise high pay for minimal work, request upfront payments, or ask for personal banking information.
Keep your software updated. Install software updates as soon as they’re available. These updates often include critical security patches that protect your devices from malware and other threats.
Protect your devices. Lock devices when unattended and enable automatic screen locking on laptops, tablets, and phones. If a device is lost or stolen, having a locked screen can help protect your personal and Trinity information.
Strengthen your security settings. Confirm you are utilizing multifactor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of protection in case your password is compromised. Passkeys and passwordless sign-ins are becoming the preferred way to protect accounts because they are more resistant to phishing and credential theft.
Be cautious of AI-generated messages and voice scams. Cybercriminals increasingly use artificial intelligence to create convincing emails, text messages, and even voice recordings that appear legitimate. Always verify unexpected requests involving money, sensitive information, account access, or gift cards through a trusted communication method.
Report suspicious activity to TDI. If you receive a phishing email, encounter a suspicious website, or notice any unusual online activity, report it right away:
- Report Phishing Emails
- Email [email protected] to report suspicious activity
- Report a confirmed Incident
