Staying cybersafe: Three things to know

With the launch of UFDocuSign and other products and services that rely on electronic sharing of information, it’s more critical than ever to ensure you are protecting yourself and the university from cyber-security attacks. You can do so, by adopting these three practices:

Use strong passwords

A strong password is easy to remember but hard for others to guess. Do not use information in passwords that could be easily associated with you, such as your pet’s name or your date of birth. A passphrase, which could consist of the first letter of each word of your favorite quote, is an effective way to create a complex yet memorable password. Visit the Information Security Office’s password page to learn more.

Avoid phishing attempts

Do not click on anything that makes you suspicious and listen to your instincts. Basic grammatical errors, misspelling of common words and poor sentence structure are all warning signs that should make you think twice before clicking. Forward suspicious emails you receive in your UF email account to abuse@ufl.edu.

Stay away from malware 

Malware is short for “malicious software” and refers to viruses, ransomware, spyware and other bad things that can corrupt files or steal information on your computers and mobile devices. Keeping devices up-to-date when an icon appears alerting you to an available upgrade is a good first step to protecting yourself against malware.

UFIT offers many FREE information security training options, including a Cybersecurity @UF workshop on April 19. Sign up to learn more practical tips you can apply at work and at home.