11.6.23

Two factors are better than one

The University uses several guardrails to protect accounts and prevent bad actors from getting in. Duo, for example, is a two-factor/multifactor authentication tool that prompts you to accept or deny a request anytime there is an attempt to access a system or application with your login. It’s a quick indicator if someone other than you tries to log in with your credentials. University IT recommends using Duo’s “push” and app-based passcode methods, as they are the most secure option. A reminder that if you receive a Duo notification you did not initiate, do not accept. Instead, click “deny” and indicate whether the login was suspicious or not. Choosing “yes” will automatically open an incident with University IT’s Security team to investigate, as this could mean someone was trying to use credentials to access information. You can also choose the alternative route of reporting the incident to abuse@rochester.edu and changing your password immediately.

11.13.23

Prepare yourself for the biggest shopping holiday of the year

Many companies have decided to release their Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals early this year, giving you more time to shop the hottest items on the market. However, this all comes with a price as scammers also get more time to deceive consumers with deals that are too good to be true. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) provides helpful guidance on how to shop safely during Black Friday and how you can protect yourself from Cyber Monday scams. University IT urges the University community to be extra vigilant with incoming emails or text messages and avoid clicking any suspicious links.

11.27.23

Is what you’re sharing worth the risk?

University IT has just released its newest video on password sharing. Did you know a majority of people have admitted to sharing a password with a colleague, close friend, or family member so they can provide access to documents, subscriptions, or streaming services? But what might seem like an innocent act of kindness can actually put your sensitive data at risk. No matter how well you trust someone, they can unintentionally compromise your account should they fall victim to a scam or have malware on their device. This can have a snowball effect, especially if you use the same password across other accounts. Bonus security tip: it is best to avoid reusing passwords across accounts.