A Message from: ACC InfoSec Department
As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Austin Community College’s (ACC) InfoSec Department shares 6 top tips that will help you defend yourself against cybercriminals.
- Use strong passwords – Create strong and unique complex passwords across ALL your accounts. Never reuse passwords.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) – This is an extra layer of security. If hackers get hold of your username and password, they still need your MFA to get into your account.
- Update your software – Do not snooze those pop-ups reminding you that there is a new software update available. These are important to patch any vulnerabilities in your hardware or software.
- Think before you click – Phishing continues to be the top strategy in every cybercriminal’s playbook. They flood your inbox with emails containing malicious links or attachments. Always think twice and verify the sender.
- Use public Wi-Fi with caution – We recommend avoiding the use of public Wi-Fi at cafés, shops, or restaurants when possible. A safe alternative is to use your phone’s hotspot. If there are no alternative options, consider steering away from accessing sensitive information or performing transactions while online.
- Lock your devices – Keep your devices safe, especially in public places or when you are quickly walking away. A cybercriminal can very quickly install malware on an open computer. This can lead to identity theft, fraud, or unauthorized file manipulation. A locked screen is a safe screen.
For more tips, email the ACC Student Help Desk at [email protected].