Tips for Safe and Secure Social Networking

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. What better time to hone your safety and security social networking skills? Here’s a few tips from the Internet2 wiki; plus, to see more  helpful information browse over to their site. Also, please take 30 seconds to view the “How to Create a Secure Password” video from the link here and noted below.

Passwords    

1. Choose strong, complex passwords.
2. Choose a unique password for each account.
3. Never share your passwords.
4. Never use your password on suspicious third party sites.    

Safety and Security   

1. Don't reveal too much information about yourself. Depending on the information you reveal, you could become the target of identity or property theft.
2. Watch what you click! Don't click on suspicious links or pop-up ads that may infect your device with malware or install spyware. (Recent buzz words for this include clickjacking, likejacking, and tabnapping.)
3. Be wary of scams, such as fake profiles designed to exploit your trust. Scams are no longer limited to e-mails. (And social networking sites don't have spam filters.)
4. Applications that run on social networking sites might send your information to a third party or spread malware.
5. Check privacy policies.(Al social networking sites have them - see privacy policies for Facebook and Twitter at the Internet2 wiki site.)
6. Report spam, phishing, or hacking violations.

 Video: “How to Create a Secure Password”

If you have questions or need assistance, please call the Help Desk at (805) 493-3698 or send e-mail to helpdesk@callutheran.edu   Additional information is available at the Computer Training Website; in addition, an archive of previous Tech Bytes issues is located at http://www.callutheran.edu/iss/training/tech_bytes/