Increasingly, smart phones are replacing desktop and laptop computers as the personal computer of choice. Some recent studies report that nearly a quarter of all students use smart phones as their preferred method for internet browsing and access. With thousands (millions?) of smart phones shipping each month, this number will only increase. While we know that you are diligent as you carry your laptop around, connecting to networks at work, at home, at conferences, hotels or other public wi-fi hotspots, you should treat your smart phone in the same manner. As you download new software or open email attachments, you should make certain that you have current antivirus or malware protection on your smart phone. … [Read more...]
Mobile Security – Important (and FREE) Tips for Protecting Your Personal Smart Phone
June 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment
PII – Do You Know What That Means?
June 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Before we go on: PII stands for Personally Identifiable Information. There’s no doubt that each person at UMW wants his / her own PII protected and secured. UMW takes its responsibility to protect your Personally Identifiable Information seriously. The University has taken steps to define PII as Highly Sensitive Data and has mandated that every caution should be used in protecting this information from authorized access, exposure or distribution. UMW’s policy states that this data should only be collected or maintained when there is an approved and authorized business justification. Unless absolutely required for a particular business function, this information should never be collected, stored, shared or distributed. More information highly sensitive data is found on the Protecting Highly Sensitive Data web page. Also by UMW policy, in instances when such data is legitimately collected, there are specific restrictions regarding how and when such data can be electronically … [Read more...]
Security Tips
April 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Security is increasingly important in today's environment. Here are some tips that will help keep your computing environment safe. Never give your password to anyone in an e-mail message! UMW personnel have been plagued by scams that try to trick people into replying with their password. The hackers responsible for these scams are relentless! If you remember this one simple rule, you can prevent becoming a victim: UMW IT staff will never ask for your password in an e-mail – nor will any legitimate business or organization. If you get such an e-mail, you should delete it immediately. You should do the same thing if you get an email with a link to a web form that asks you to fill in your username and password – don’t do it! Learn to recognize scams, frauds, and other forms of malicious communications so you don’t become a victim of identity theft, financial fraud, or end up with a compromised computer. Criminals are using all kinds of new tricks and coming at you from all angles — … [Read more...]