April Security Tip: Risks of Using a Personal Computer for Work
Using your personal computer for university work might seem convenient, but it actually puts both you and the university at risk. Here are four reasons why you should stick to a university-owned device, along with the action steps you need to take to stay protected:
1. Your Work Could Be Lost or Locked Away
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If you save files directly to your personal computer and need to leave unexpectedly, your team cannot access your work.
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If your personal computer gets damaged or stolen, any files saved on it that aren't backed up to the cloud will be gone forever.
Take Action: Always save your documents directly to university-approved cloud storage like Google Drive, so they are safe and accessible to your team.
2. Personal Computers Are Easier to Hack
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Home computers often run outdated software or are shared with family members, making them less secure.
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Fun extras on a personal computer (like games and media players) create more digital "doors" that hackers can use to get in. University policies require any device used for work to be highly secure and updated.
Take Action: Use a university-managed computer for work. If you must use a personal device, make sure your software is up to date, run anti-malware programs, and use only the software needed for your job.
3. You Have to Pay for Your Own Fixes and Upgrades
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If your personal computer breaks, needs a security upgrade, or needs a brand-new operating system, you have to pay for it yourself.
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Campus IT offers very limited help for personal devices, meaning you are on your own to troubleshoot issues.
Take Action: Avoid the personal expense and headache by requesting a standard-issue campus computer for your daily work.
4. Your Personal Files Could Be Searched
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If the university faces a lawsuit, a public records request, or a data breach, your entire personal computer could be legally searched for university records. This means investigators could search your private files for work-related data.
Take Action: Keep your personal life and work life completely separate. Never store university data on your personal hard drive.