Everyone wants to protect their information, but with all the cybersecurity tips out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. Let us take you through a day in the life of being cyber safe so you can learn how to apply cybersecurity tips to your everyday life.
Steer clear of juice jacking
You go to do some work at a cafe off-campus before class, but oh no, your phone is on 20%! You see a public charging station, which might be tempting, but are you aware that hackers can now use malicious code to rig public charging stations to steal information from your devices? Luckily, you found your phone charger at the bottom of your bag! Since it’s difficult to know if a public charging station is safe, it’s best to travel with your own charger and/or battery bank so you can always charge your devices safely and securely, even while you’re out and about.
Don’t get hooked: avoid phishing scams!
You’re on the bus to your next class and quickly go through your emails on your phone. There’s a sketchy email about an internship position that pays well, but you need to send your full name, email address, the school you go to, and your phone number right away to apply. Did you know scammers can send realistic forms of communication that seem to be from reliable sources? Even while rushing between classes, remember to never respond to messages asking for personal information from unverified sources and immediately report the phishing attempt to abuse@rutgers.edu.
Stay cyber safe on social media
It’s fall, your dorm room is looking very aesthetic, so naturally, it’s time to post a picture on social media to show off your amazing interior design skills. You go to post the picture on your public social media accounts and tag your dorm building location. Did you know public social media accounts leave you vulnerable to scammers? By making your account private, you can control who sees your posts and the information you share. But also keep in mind that your friends and followers are always prone to hacking, so always be cautious of messages you receive online and avoid sharing any sensitive information online.
Connect to RUWireless Secure
You’re on campus browsing the internet on your phone/laptop before class starts but you’re not connected to RUWireless Secure. You might assume it’s safe to connect to any public Wi-Fi, but did you know that public Wi-Fi options can leave you and your information vulnerable? While on campus, make sure you’re connected to RUWireless Secure, and while off-campus, turn your Wi-Fi off to avoid connecting to unsecure Wi-Fi options and keep your information secure. Use mobile data while on the go, but only access important data, such as logging into your bank/credit card accounts and entering credit card numbers while connected to secure Wi-Fi networks.