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Cyber Security Awareness
October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, sponsored by the United States Department of Homeland Security. Each week we will focus on a different security topic and provide tips and resources to help keep your computing experience at Pitt safe and secure.
We also have a special event planned for Halloween near the end of October. Our annual Cybersecurity Scarehouse will again look a little different this year, but it will still be an event where students can learn vital security tips while having a scary good time.
Cybersecurity Funhouse
Event
Cybersecurity Scarehouse 2021
Thanks in part to a pandemic that just won't end, our annual Cybersecurity Scarehouse is again too frightening to hold in person. But just like Freddy Krueger, A Nightmare on Elm Street Bigelow Boulevard will be back... VIRTUALLY!
Watch this space for more details about the scary fun activities, great prizes, OCC credits, and tips for protecting yourself against the ghosts in the machine that threaten your identity, bank account, and computing devices.
Weekly Security Topics
Weekly Security Topics
Week 1: Passwords
Week 2: Phishing Awareness
Week 3: Spotting Scams
Week 4: Device Protection
Security Tips of the Day
Security Tips of the Day
- Oct. 1: October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Check back here every day of the month for tips, resources, and upcoming events.
- Oct. 2: Create a strong password that combines letters, numbers, and special characters. Learn more at http://pi.tt/passwordprotection
- Oct. 3: When logging in to the University’s single sign-on page, Pitt Passport, make sure the URL begins with passport.pitt.edu
- Oct. 4: Change your password regularly and do not use the same password across multiple websites.
- Oct. 5: Make sure you register more than one device for use with the University's multifactor authentication. Learn more: http://pi.tt/multifactor.
- Oct. 8: Phishing scams use fake emails or websites to attempt to trick you into divulging personal information. Don’t take the bait.
- Oct. 9: Remember: no legitimate organization will ever ask you to divulge your password by email, over the phone, or via an unfamiliar website.
- Oct. 10: To report a phishing scam, forward the phishing email as an attachment to phish@pitt.edu.
- Oct. 11: Phishing scams often create a sense of urgency and invoke emotions like fear or greed to persuade you to provide sensitive information
- Oct. 12: Be suspicious of emails that request personal information, contain spelling errors, or claim your account will be reset.
- Oct. 15: You can keep tabs on recent scams (phishing and otherwise) on our Alerts & Notifications page.
- Oct. 16: A common tech support scam starts with a pop-up on your computer asking you to call a number to fix your computer. Don't take the bait!
- Oct. 17: You can set a default authentication preference with multifactor authentication to save time when logging in. Learn more at http://pi.tt/multifactor
- Oct. 18: A phone call that claims to be from the FBI or IRS that says you owe money is probably a scam. Don't take the bait!
- Oct. 19: Your Federal Student Aid ID (FSAID) is used to sign documents electronically. Be suspicious of any phone call or email asking for it.
- Oct. 22: Download Antivirus and Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes) to guard against harmful software.
- Oct. 23: USB drives and other external devices can be infected by viruses. Do not accept USB drives unless they come from a known, trusted source.
- Oct. 24: Security flaws in the software you use can allow hackers to attack your computer or steal data. Keep your operating system & apps updated.
- Oct. 26: Lock your smartphone. Use the passcode feature on your smartphone or tablet and set up the phone to lock after 5 minutes of inactivity.
- Oct. 29: Don’t hack your phone. Your reason for jailbreaking or rooting it (increased access to modifications) is also why it is no longer secure.
- Oct. 31: Don't miss our Cybersecurity Scarehouse at the William Pitt Union. Learn safe computing tips while having a spooky good time!