Cyber Safety

The internet is a vast and informative tool most of us use every day. But this also means that there are lots of opportunities for scammers to steal your information. Here are some of the ways you can keep your personal information safe and feel comfortable while browsing the web:

• Use strong passwords
  
  • Password managers are generally very secure
  • Don’t reuse passwords
  • Change passwords regularly
• Use networks wisely
  
  • Don’t access financial or other personal information on public networks (cafés, bookshops, hotels, and even schools)
  • This information can easily be viewed by others on public networks
  • Consider using cell phone data to view this information, or your cell phone’s hotspot if using another device
• Lock your devices when leaving them unattended
• Think before sharing
  
  • Be wary of sharing your location with others or on social media
    
    • Only share it with those you trust, like an emergency contact
  • Don’t post about being out of town until after you’ve returned
  • Don’t share your personal information or identifiable information publicly
• Keep your software up to date
• Pay attention to URLs (.com vs .net)

More safety information can be found at BYU’s OIT website: https://oit.byu.edu/besafe-at-byu

Additional sources: https://ets.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Cyber-Tips-for-Students.pdf