There’s no denying people live a huge portion of our lives online, so your cyber identity is as real as your physical one in many ways. That's why Identity Management Day (April 8, 2025) is a perfect time to take a moment and think about how well you’re protecting yourself in the digital space.
It's not just about the small details; it's about a big picture approach to keeping your personal information secure. Here are a few easy-to-follow tips to help you stay safe online:
Create Strong, Unique Passwords: Ditch the "password123" and "birthday" combinations. Opt for long, complex passphrases that mix letters, numbers, and symbols. The more random, the better! Check out the University’s strong password standard for additional guidance.
Use a Password Manager: These handy resources generate and securely store those tricky passwords for you, so you don't have to remember them all. The University offers 1Password to all employees and students at no cost.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is Your Friend
Enable 2FA wherever possible. It adds an extra layer of security, requiring a second form of verification (like a code or biometrics) in addition to your password. This makes it much harder for hackers to get into your accounts.
Be Wary of Phishing Scams
Never click on suspicious links or provide sensitive data unless you're absolutely sure it's from a legitimate source. If in doubt, contact the company directly from a publicly available source.
Keep Software & Apps Updated
Software updates often include crucial security patches. Make sure your operating system, browser, and apps are always up-to-date. Automatic updates are ideal, so you don't have to remember to do it manually.
Limit Your Online Sharing
Think twice before posting personal information on social media. Over-sharing can make you vulnerable to identity theft. Scammers can use the information to create impersonator accounts, or pose as you to scam others you may be connected to online.
Take a moment today to strengthen your online defenses. Your future digital self will thank you.