Photo Courtesy of UARK IT Services
By: Maddy Terril
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV)- October is National Cyber Security month.
Ele Powell, a Digital Content Strategist at the University of Arkansas, wants students to know how they can stay safe online.
“As a U of A student, you have access to several resources that will help keep you, your device(s) and information safe online. Students have free access to the GlobalProtect VPN, antivirus software and multi-factor authentication, each offering a different aspect of account security,” Powell said.
Additionally, the IT security Office offers training materials, brochures, booklets, bookmarks and 20–60-minute training sessions for anyone who is interested in cybersecurity and keeping their online presence safe.
You can email securityawarenesstraining@groups.uark.edu to set up a training session or get training materials.
The biggest piece of advice Powell can offer to students is, “to be cautious of everything and verify all sources/platforms in which information is received or sent out.”
She also advises you to never give out personal information without verifying that it is a legitimate organization and request.
This includes but is not limited to banking information, your social security number, and your date of birth.
Powell emphasizes the importance of a multi-factor authorization (MFA) for any passwords you have.
“Most passwords have already been compromised and having a second verification prevents the bad actor from getting into the account. Use MFA on everything,” Powell said.
A misconception Powell sees regarding technology is that it can provide all the means to keep your information safe.
“While software, malware protection, and other tools can enhance your safety, users have to be aware, intentional, and thoughtful about their online presence,” Powell said.
She recommends creating a secure password for your accounts and being cautious about what you post on social media.
Throughout the month there are events to help educate students on campus.
These events include Cyber Security Bingo, a scavenger hunt, trivia, and more
Dates for these events can be found here.
If you are in doubt about how to keep your online presence safe, Powell offers this simple piece of advice.
“Cyber security doesn’t have to be difficult, just slow down and think before you act,” Powell said.
For more information on cyber security, you can visit the university’s IT Services page.
Students can also contact the IT Help Desk and receive live online tech support Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to midnight, and from 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays and Sundays.