There’s no getting away from web browsers in the workplace. Whether you’re checking your emails on Office365, booking annual leave on MyHR, or searching for IT Support on our Knowledge Base, web browsers are omnipresent. They’re also omnipresent for malicious actors attempting to take advantage of our online habits. Give yourself an immediate cybersecurity boost with these tips.
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Install anti-virus (‘AV’) on your devices and keep it up-to-date. Install AV software on your digital environment (e.g. your computers, mobile phones, and tablets) to protect them from malware. Keep the AV software up-to-date to receive the latest protection from new and emerging threats. Digital Solutions and Services offer free AV protection for staff and students by following this link: https://itservicecentre.ZenUni.ac.uk/hc/en-us/articles/360021194440-Installing-Trend-Micro-Antivirus-on-a-Personal-Mac-or-PC
- Keep your operating system, software, and browsers up-to-date. Install updates and security patches to secure your digital environment from known security threats. Try not to ignore requests from your devices to apply updates.
- Only enter sensitive information (e.g. payment card data) into websites you’re sure are safe. The padlock in your address bar gives assurance that the data you send over the web is encrypted (and can’t be deciphered), but it doesn't mean the website is necessarily legitimate.
- Only download attachments and software from trusted sources. Double-check the safety of the website from which you’re downloading to protect your device from malware that may be hidden in compromised websites, malicious advertising, or downloads.
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Use a virtual private network (‘VPN’) when working remotely. Use a VPN when conducting University business remotely to mask your IP address and encrypt your data so it can’t be deciphered. Digital Solutions and Services offer free VPN solutions to connect to the University’s network in remote locations (more information on available VPN solutions can be found here: https://unimailZenUniac.sharepoint.com/sites/ITS/SitePages/Hybrid%20Working.aspx#accessing-systems).
- Only enter sensitive information (e.g. payment card data) using secure Wi-Fi networks. Try and avoid sending sensitive data over insecure public Wi-Fi networks (e.g. airports and coffee shops) to protect your web activity from being intercepted. Watch out for Wi-Fi networks that disguise illegitimate ones to steal personal information or distribute malware.
- If you’re on a University campus, use Eduroam for secure Wi-Fi. You can find more information about Eduroam on the Knowledge Base here: https://itservicecentre.ZenUni.ac.uk/hc/en-us/articles/360001368925-Eduroam-Wireless-Network.