October is cybersecurity awareness month! Cyber-attacks usually aim to access, change, or destroy personal information and private accounts. With that, knowing how to protect yourself against these cyber attacks is extremely important. Here are some tips to stay cyber safe!

• Use Multi-factor authentication  

The best way to protect your accounts, especially those with sensitive information, is to have multifactor authentication enabled. This will send a message to your phone or email requiring you to allow access to whoever is trying to get into your account. If you’re not the one trying to get in, you can quickly address the situation and prevent hackers from gaining access to your account. FSU uses Duo Authentication which is a 2-factor authentication (2FA) that adds an extra layer of security designed to prevent unauthorized access to your personal information. Remember, NEVER accept a push when you are not actively signing into your account! 

• Use strong, unique passwords 

Using passwords such as your birthday, pets name, or address simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Hackers can find out this information very easily and get into your accounts. Strong passwords should include a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid full words or phrases. Some software will automatically suggest a unique password when making an account, making it super easy. Remember to never write down your password somewhere that anyone can find it.  

• Be cautious with your email  

A lot of times hackers will send emails out with links that contain viruses. These emails are disguised as files, software updates, or contain urgent action demands. However, clicking on them will cause a virus to download on your computer where all your information is available to the hackers. Be wary of suspicious emails, especially from unrecognized senders. To learn more about phishes, visit the ITS phish tank where you can see examples of common phishes and how to report them. If you do receive a phishing email, remember to forward it to abuse@fsu.edu so we can make others aware. 

• Be careful when connecting to public wifi 

When connecting to public wifi, many don’t see the dangers associated with it. However, connecting to an unsecure wifi network can expose your computer to a virus, or make your computer compromised to allow a hacker in to gain access. Always make sure to only connect to networks from a trusted source, such as reputable schools, cafes, and airports. For extra protection, refrain from accessing personal information such as online banking while on any public wifi. While on campus, make sure you are only connecting to the “FSU Secure” wifi network to ensure your safety online! 

Pledge yourself to being cyber smart! To learn more about how to protect yourself online visit its.fsu.edu/cybersecurity. If you think you are being targeted in a cyber attacked, FSU ITS department offers computer protection and threat response for FSU owned devices, visit its.fsu.edu/services/computer-protection-threat-response to learn more.