National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is held every October to raise awareness about staying safe and secure online. The theme for 2021 is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart,” helping to empower individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace.

Take these simple steps to improve your online safety and security and protect your personal information, connected devices, and university data:

• Enable Duo two-factor authentication. If you haven’t enrolled yet, find information on the Move to Duo website.
• Make your passwords long and strong. This is easier when you use passphrases that are least 12 characters long. Use a password manager to simplify your online life and remember all your passwords on any device. #BeCyberSmart and set a unique password or passphrase for each account.
• Keep your devices and apps up to date. Manufacturers and software developers often patch security holes in their products, but they only work if you apply them. Stay current with notifications on your computer and mobile devices informing you of updates waiting to install, and act as soon as they're available. Plus, configure the privacy and security settings of your apps and devices; most devices default to the least secure settings.
• Think before you click. Links in email and online posts are often how cybercriminals trick you into being compromised. If a link or attachment looks suspicious, even if you know the source, confirm before clicking!

Find more information and tips on keeping your data secure in “Top 9 cybersecurity habits you need to adopt today” on the UC Davis Information Security website.  

#BeCyberSmart