What IT security actions can I take myself?
Security is a shared responsibility—to help protect yourself and Wayne State you should follow all IT policies, including keeping your password secure. Never share your password with anyone including the Help Desk, use approved hardware and software, take annual security awareness training to learn how to spot phishing and other social attacks, and report all suspicious activity to the C&IT help desk.
Create and use strong passwords
The use of strong passwords can slow or often defeat the various attack methods of compromising a computer's security. Strong passwords ensure the security and confidentiality of data that is stored on your computer, tablet, smartphone, wireless network, and online accounts.
Use two-factor authentication for confidential accounts
Two-Factor Authentication, also known as 2FA or TFA (as an acronym), is an extra layer of security that is known as multi-factor authentication that requires not only a password and username but also something that only that user has on, such as a piece of information only they should know or have immediately on hand—like a physical token or a smartphone app with a temporary code or key.
Backup your data regularly
Back up your data! Having duplicate copies of your most important information saved on a secondary hard drive or cloud/remote location keeps it safe in case anything goes wrong with your computer. A lot can go wrong, including computer crashes, viruses, malware, ransomware, equipment failures, water damage, drop damage, and even theft. If it's important to you, back it up!
Use antivirus software
Making sure your PC or Mac is protected is just as important these days as it has always been. Malicious users are still coming up with ways to access your machine—be it hijackers grabbing your search page, or the latest ransomware encrypting all of your files—so having a robust antivirus software package for your PC or Mac is essential to help keep you safe.
Update your computer regularly
Operating systems (such as Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, and Linux) and web browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all need to be updated and patched on a regular basis.
Encrypt your hard disk
Hard-drive encryption is a technology that encrypts the data stored on a hard drive using sophisticated mathematical functions. Data on an encrypted hard drive cannot be read by anyone who does not have access to the appropriate key or password. Encrypting your hard drive is an important consideration when buying or setting up a computer.
Use a VPN when working remotely
A virtual private network extends a private network across a public network and enables users to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if their computing devices were directly connected to the private network. A VPN is therefore a secure and private solution within the wider internet itself that allows users—whether they are individuals, or part of an organization, or business—to send and receive data while maintaining the secrecy of a private network.