Develop Safe Habits

Common cybersecurity tips

Declutter Your Digital Files

It's easy for our digital selves to get cluttered and disorganized. A proper Marie Kondo approach to thinning out old files can keep your devices and information more secure. Plus it can improve the speed and performance of your devices.

Here are a few things you can do to improve your digital security and online safety:

1. Review Online Accounts Delete any online accounts no longer in use. If an account is still in use, remove any information that is no longer needed, like saved credit cards or documents in cloud storage. Review the privacy and security settings on websites...

Securing Your Data

Overview:

Data is one of UC Berkeley’s most critical assets. The complexity and volume of the data we are taking in is growing while at the same time regulatory requirements are becoming more stringent. These factors make correctly managing data vital for ensuring its confidentiality, integrity, and availability remain intact.

The data management lifecycle:

Proper handling of data throughout its lifecycle is critical to optimizing its utility, minimize the potential for errors, and protect it from breaches. No matter...

Best Practices for Telecommuting Securely

Please note: personally-owned computers used by multiple people in the household are unlikely to meet the Campus Minimum Security for Networked Devices (MSSND) Standard. Risks to consider with home systems include:

Multiple users with administrator access allow for download and spread of malware

Insecure configurations leave the systems vulnerable to attacks

Home use software installed that are not supported and may not be patched for vulnerabilities

Institutional information...

Security Basics: 101

The basics of campus information security boil down to the following three concerns: Protecting Yourself, Protecting Devices, and Protecting Data

Protecting Yourself

Protect your personal information by following guidelines for managing passwords, learning how to avoid phishing scams, and by remembering secure computing practices at all times.

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How to Protect Against Technical Support Scams

What are Technical Support scams?

In a Technical Support scam, a scam artist will try to contact you by phone or initiate contact via a website (often through a pop-up window in your web browser). The scammer will claim to be a representative from Microsoft, or sometimes pretend to be from UC Berkeley Technical Support. They will highlight common concerns regarding your computer, such as viruses or malware. They will offer to "fix" these manufactured issues by connecting to your system.

What is the possible impact of such scams?

The goal of the scammer is to gain remote access to...

Top 10 Secure Computing Tips

Top Ten Secure Computing Tips"Top 10" List of Secure Computing Tips Tip #1 - You are a target to hackers

Don't ever say, "It won't happen to me." We are all at risk and the stakes are high - both for your personal and financial well-being and for the university's standing and reputation.

Cybersecurity is everyone's...

Protecting Your Credentials

1. Beware Social Engineering and Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are a significant source of compromised credentials. These scams are a form of social engineering attacks used to trick the unsuspecting user into revealing account information. These scams can occur by phone, email, or text.

Most commonly, a phishing scams are initiated by an email that has the appearance of official business and request that you perform an urgent action, like logging into your account.

Sometimes emails...

Preventing Laptop Theft

Every semester, UC Berkeley Police receive numerous reports of stolen laptops on the campus and University properties. According to theft reports, many of those stolen laptops were the result of "smash-and-grab" car break-ins. UCPD warns that, "it only takes 10 seconds for a thief to smash a window and grab a laptop.” To protect your devices and data, follow these basic security practices.

1. Physically Protect Your Device From Theft Never leave your laptop or mobile device in a vehicle Do not walk away from your laptop, even for a minute If you...