Cybersecurity is an increasing concern across all industries. We see and hear about it on the news almost daily. Yale is no exception. Cybercriminals are intent on disrupting the critical work we do across Yale. Our peer institutions have seen an increase in these cyber disruptions too.
We all play a role in securing Yale's ongoing pursuit of excellence. Your small actions can make a big impact for security at Yale. Use this page for cybersecurity awareness resources, tips, events, and chances to win exclusive prizes.
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June Cybersecurity Awareness Tip
Summer's heating up—and so is smishing!
Have you ever received a text message from an unrecognized number? Is it asking you to click a link or provide your personal information? If so, think twice; it may be a smishing scam!
Smishing is when cybercriminals send us text messages to steal our sensitive information. Like email phishing scams, smishing tries to entice us to follow a link, share our data, or open an attachment.
Scammers may pose as our banks, favorite retailers, and cellular providers. They may even pose as someone we know or trust, like our place of work or a friend or colleague.
Recently, Yale has noticed an increase in smishing attempts. Don't get fooled by these malicious text messages. Use these simple tips to stay ahead of bad actors and keep you and your loved ones safe:
- The Yale ITS Help Desk will never ask for your password or contact you via text message.
- Don't tap a link or open an attachment from an unknown sender.
- Beware of messages offering amazing deals, prizes, or coupon codes.
- Be wary of requests soliciting an urgent response.
- Go straight to the source instead of responding right away. Reach out directly to the bank, retailer, or agency for confirmation.
Building our cyber muscles ensures we're ready to protect ourselves against cybercriminals. Visit cybersecurity.yale.edu/awareness and subscribe to the Bee Cyber Fit newsletter for more tips.
Simple. Repeatable. Actionable.
Cybersecurity takes all of us.
Our awareness program aims to help everyone understand how to work securely at Yale. The program introduces simple, repeatable actions to keep your data out of harm’s way. Your small actions can make a big impact for security at Yale.
How can I get involved?
Cybersecurity, simplified.
There's a lot to know about cybersecurity. We are here to empower you, not overwhelm you. That's why we've come up with four topics to help you be cyber aware, everywhere.
Over the course of the next year, we will introduce awareness campaigns for these four topics. Each campaign will have multi-media messaging, learning opportunities, events, and chances to win exclusive swag.
Our current campaign is Apply Updates.
This topic focuses on why applying updates is the most imporant step we can take to keep our information safe. Stay ahead of bad actors and check out our toolkit and events to build your cyber knowledge.
Cybersecurity Awareness Webinar: Top 10 Most Entertaining & Easy-to-Hack Passwords
Need tips to keep your online information secure? Cyber news reporter Kerry Tomlinson shares interesting, entertaining and important information about password protection. Check out this informative recording and learn how to power up your passwords. Watch, learn, and then share with all the people in your life you care about including kids, spouses, partners, parents, and grandparents!
Cybersecurity Awareness Archives
Yale Cybersecurity Awareness Postcard
Want to keep cybersecurity awareness top of mind? Review and print this handy postcard to stay on your cybersecurity awareness toes.
Bee the Home Expert Webinar Recording
Enjoy this recording of our "Bee the Home Expert" webinar with David Miller. David is a former FBI agent who shared helpful tips and tricks to build our cybersecurity muscles at home. Watch, learn and share with family and friends to keep them safe online too.
Get in touch!
Do you have questions about cybersecurity awareness?
Is there a topic you'd like to learn more about?
E-mail information.security@yale.edu with questions and ideas.