/it/taxonomy/term/679/all en /it/article/cybersecurity-information-security-articles/vpn-and-2fa <p>VPN (Virtual Private Network) and 2FA (two-factor authentication) have become buzz words lately, because they are required for maintaining the security of Â鶹AV sensitive systems and data when accessing them from outside the Â鶹AV network.</p> <p>When we were all working, studying and teaching on campus, these tools were not as often required and went unnoticed. But now that most of us are working from home and accessing Â鶹AV systems remotely, it is important that we understand when and why we need them. Let’s break it down…</p> Wed, 28 Oct 2020 20:33:28 +0000 gabrielle.krim@mcgill.ca 44134 at /it /it/article/zoom-security-myth-vs-reality-remote-teaching <p>The Zoom web conferencing solution has recently risen to the forefront of the news with regards to concerns for cybersecurity and privacy. Â鶹AV wants to reassure our Zoom users that we have put controls in place to address these legitimate concerns.</p> <p>The following are the main concerns raised by the community and the media in recent weeks and, where applicable, how Â鶹AV has mitigated these concerns:</p> Fri, 03 Apr 2020 20:53:52 +0000 Sara DiStefano 43731 at /it /it/article/cybersecurity/job-seekers-beware-job-offer-scams <p><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/scammers-fool-dozens-of-job-seekers-using-popular-london-ont-antique-shop-as-cover-1.6907585">As various news stories have reported</a>, employment fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated and common. Anyone can fall prey! The impact on victims can be devastating on both a personal and financial level.</p> <p><span>Visit Â鶹AV’s Career and Planning Services’ (CaPS) website for </span><a href="/caps/students/job/scam">tips on how to  identify and protect yourself from job scams</a><span>.</span></p> Thu, 25 Feb 2021 21:56:32 +0000 Joyce Sabados 44404 at /it /it/article/data-privacy-day-contest-update-mcgillians-are-privacyaware <p>To celebrate Data Privacy Day (January 28) we launched a Â鶹AV-wide contest to emphasize why data privacy should be important to you. The first and second-place prizes were a $100 and $50 e-gift card to the Le James Bookstore, respectively. </p> <p>We asked you to choose a line from an app’s Terms and Conditions that could violate your privacy and tell us why.</p> <p>Your privacy-savvy replies prove that many Â鶹AVians recognize the value of personal information and why it is important to protect it.</p> <p><strong>Here are excerpts from some of your entries: </strong></p> Tue, 11 Feb 2020 19:35:37 +0000 uma.viswanathan@mcgill.ca 43696 at /it /it/article/cybersecurity/celebrate-data-privacy-day-january-28-2022 <p><b>Data Privacy Day on January 28 highlights the value of personal information. </b></p> <p><img height="160" width="160" style="width: 80px; height: 80px; float: left;" class="file-default lt" src="/it/files/it/styles/wysiwyg_medium/public/champion_badge.png?itok=i3wqoSK7" alt="" /> As an official 2022 <a href="https://staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-day/all-champions/">Data Privacy Day champion</a>, Â鶹AV is spreading the word with a contest, online events, resources and tips to help you protect your data.</p> <p> </p> Mon, 21 Dec 2020 15:22:16 +0000 Uma Viswanathan 44312 at /it /it/article/cybersecurity/phishing-simulations <p>Phishing simulation exercises are like fire drills for cyber security. Over the last few years IT Services has begun sending out fake emails to the Â鶹AV community, designed to pique your interest or raise an emotional response, tempting you to click on a link and divulge your Â鶹AV credentials – <b>exactly the way real cybercriminals design their fraudulent phishing emails</b>.</p> <p>These types of exercises are conducted in many institutions, both private and public, with the objective of improving our collective cyber security resiliency.</p> Mon, 12 Jul 2021 16:23:59 +0000 gabrielle.krim@mcgill.ca 44581 at /it /it/article/cybersecurity-information-security-articles/4-things-every-student-needs-know <h4>4 things to know about cybersecurity</h4> <p>In our increasingly online world rife with phishing attacks, online scams and data breaches, it is more important than ever to ensure that you keep your devices and personal information secure. Here are several tips and resources for staying safe online: </p> Sun, 07 Jun 2020 19:34:13 +0000 uma.viswanathan@mcgill.ca 43751 at /it /it/article/online-shopping-advantages-and-pitfalls <p>Online shopping is wildly popular worldwide because of the convenience it affords consumers. However, there are some dangers to be aware of:</p> Sun, 07 Jun 2020 14:25:44 +0000 uma.viswanathan@mcgill.ca 43750 at /it /it/article/cybersecurity-information-security-articles/perils-social-media <p>Social media is a great way to stay in touch with friends, organize events, and show everyone what you’re working on. It can also be a hazard if it isn’t used carefully.</p> <p>You’ve probably heard the cautionary tales of sharing on social media: embarrassing photos that somehow get viewed by people you've never met, the ill-advised comment that could come back to bite you in an important situation, such as a job interview. </p> Sun, 07 Jun 2020 13:04:12 +0000 Uma Viswanathan 43749 at /it /it/article/holiday-season-shop-safely-online <p><b>Stay safe with these cybersecurity tips. </b></p> <p>The festive season approaches, and with it the promise of super deals online – the perfect start to your holiday shopping. Unfortunately, this is also a great time of year for cybercriminals looking to scam online shoppers.</p> <p>Follow these guidelines when you buy online and stay cybersafe.</p> Fri, 22 Nov 2019 20:26:23 +0000 Uma Viswanathan 43313 at /it /it/article/information-security-articles/why-strong-unique-passwords-are-important <p>With all the recent news of widespread corporate security breaches, creating a unique password for each of your accounts can be paramount in ensuring that if your password gets stolen, it cannot be used to gain access to your other accounts.   </p> Thu, 22 Aug 2019 17:01:23 +0000 Amanda Morris 43194 at /it /it/article/information-security-articles/cybersecurity-tips-holidays <p>The holidays are upon us again…. giving, buying, travelling … and paying for it online, more and more. That’s what cybercriminals love. But you know better… this year you won’t be fooled, especially with these timely tips.</p> Fri, 07 Dec 2018 23:17:20 +0000 Gabrielle Krim 42866 at /it /it/article/cybersecurity-awareness-october-2018-creating-culture-cybersecurity <p>With the rise of phishing, brute force attacks, online scams and more sophisticated technologies to help hackers decode passwords and break into accounts, initiatives like Cybersecurity Awareness Month are more important than ever.</p> Wed, 31 Oct 2018 13:53:14 +0000 Barbara Stechysin 42837 at /it /it/article/information-security-articles/password-toothbrush <p>The IT Services tent was present on lower campus during the first few weeks of Fall term, both on our own and as part of <a href="/safetyweek/about-us" target="_blank">Â鶹AV Safety Week.</a> We are collaborating with the Faculty of Dentistry, for the second year, on a campaign linking the use of a toothbrush to healthy password practices.</p> Thu, 13 Sep 2018 16:00:43 +0000 Gabrielle Krim 42772 at /it /it/data-privacy-shared-responsibility <p>As an official Data Privacy Day champion, Â鶹AV is spreading the word, and educating the Â鶹AV community on the importance of respecting privacy and safeguarding data.</p> Wed, 10 Jan 2018 22:20:51 +0000 Barbara Stechysin 42559 at /it