Helpful tips for helping to keep your identity, personal information and data secure. More information on these topics and more can be found on the pages linked at the bottom of the page.

Phishing Emails

  • Never respond to requests for personal information via email. Businesses will never ask for personal information in an email.
  • Do not enter personal information in a pop-up screen.
  • Do not click on any links listed in an e-mail message. Copy and paste the URL into your browser.
  • Marking phishy emails as spam in gmail will make it more likely gmail will identify future messages as spam for you and others with NMU accounts.
  • Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software and update them regularly.

Dispose of Information Properly

  • Destroy/shred hard copy confidential documents that contain personal information such as social security numbers, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, and health records.
  • Ensure you are using the right tools when destroying and disposing of personal information or media storage from your computer and mobile devices.

Ethics – Be a good cyber citizen

  • Do not engage in inappropriate conduct, such as cyberbullying, cyberstalking or rude and offensive behavior.
  • Do not do something in cyberspace that you would consider wrong or illegal in everyday life.
  • Do not impersonate someone else. It is wrong to create sites, pages, or posts that seem to come from someone else.
  • Adhere to copyright restrictions when downloading material from the Internet.
  • Do not use someone else’s password or other identifying information.

Lock it when you leave

  • It takes only a few seconds to secure your computer and help protect it from unauthorized access. Lock down your computer every time you leave your desk.
  • Set up a screen-saver that will lock your computer after a pre-set amount of time and require a password to log back in.
  • If your computer is used by more than one person, you may want to create individual accounts, with unique login and passwords for each user.
  • Choose a strong password. A good password should always include upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and at least one special character. Do not set the option that allows a computer to remember any password.

Protect data on mobile devices

  • Ask yourself “Is it really necessary that I transport this sensitive information?” If the answer is no, then do not copy the information.
  • Choose a strong password. A good password should always include upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and at least one special character. Never use the same password for multiple devices or accounts.
  • Store your portable devices securely. When not in use, store devices out of sight and when possible in a locked drawer or cabinet.

Protect mobile devices

  • Password-protect your portable device.
  • Be sure all critical information is backed up.
  • Disable Bluetooth when not required.
  • Make sure your firewall and anti-virus are up-to-date.
  • Store your portable devices securely.
  • Record identifying information such as serial number and label your equipment if possible.
  • Report the loss or theft to the appropriate authorities as soon as possible.

Additional Information

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