Security Awareness

Identifying and handling scams

• • Charity scams
  • Recognizing, avoiding, and reporting phishing
  • Recognizing scam emails and how to handle them
  • Scam calls and securing your phone
  • Social engineering
  • Staying safe with text messages
  • Tech support scams
  • Text message scams (smishing)
  • Ways to spot a phishing email

Protecting devices

• • Guide to installing our security software (Panda) on computers
  • Keeping software up to date
  • Safeguarding your mobile phone
  • Securing network devices

Keeping yourself safe

• • An @ssndcp.org account provides powerful tools beyond email
  • Creating complex passwords and keeping them secure
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – a refresher on how it works with our @ssndcp.org accounts.
  • OneDrive – the power of backup, sharing and collaborating in the cloud
  • Safe website browsing tips
  • Staying safe on social media
  • Using strong passwords and a password manager

Should I be installing Windows Updates?

In Windows 10, updates to your operating system happen automatically whether you are on or off campus. In most cases, your computer/laptop will inform you when new updates are ready to install. When that occurs, follow the prompts which usually request a reboot of the computer after updates have been downloaded and installed. However, it is safest to manually check that you are up to date. To see available updates and manage your options, select  the Start button in the lower left corner, and then go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates or for more information visit Update Windows. If you have questions about Windows updates or need additional assistance verifying they are installing correctly, please contact us directly at 1-800-373-7521 or helpdesk@ssndcp.org.

I think my computer might have a virus, what should I do?

Anytime you think your computer has been compromised in any way, we recommend that you call us immediately 1-800-373-7521. There are various ways we can verify if your computer has been compromised or has a virus and can work with you on repairing it.

What should I do if I receive a suspicious call from someone in “Tech Support”?

Any SSND CP IT staff that calls you will identify themselves as such and will generally let you know what campus they are calling from. We never ask for any credit card information or any kind of payment for receiving tech support. We are normally responding or following-up to a request made by the community or leadership. To report any suspicious tech support calls, contact us at 1-800-373-7521 or helpdesk@ssndcp.org.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month - 2024

• Our introduction to 2024 - Simple steps for staying safe online.

• A Pop-Up Scam Experience - We invite you to listen in on an interview where a Sister was willing to share their story with our team, describing how a convincing pop-up had her call "Microsoft" and what she learned from the experience.

• Scam Stories - Twas a dark and stormy night, and the IT team stood patiently waiting for their next help desk call. “Tell us a tale” we asked, and Sister Joanne magically appeared to unveil two stories from her past.

• Why you need a password manager - In this digital age, managing passwords can feel overwhelming. Ditch the Post-its and notebooks and learn how using a password manager can benefit you. Not only can it provide peace of mind but it also offers a safe and secure way to store all your important passwords. Don’t miss out on crucial tips to protect yourself in this digital landscape! Learn more about empowering your online security.

• What's up with the Pop-Up ads in my games? - Mobile device games are a great source for entertainment and mind stimulation. They give us something to do on the plane, in the car, or when we simply need to relax. In 2023, there were about 2.8 billion mobile gamers, which is roughly 83% of all types of video gaming combined. With numbers like that, it’s no wonder that advertisements in games have become so popular. While pop-up ads do not have the capability to directly hack or release viruses onto your device, they can still be malicious.

• 2024 Wrap-Up - Thank you all for following along to help keep our organization safe and secure! We appreciate all the inquiries, whether it is a question on the legitimacy of a message or assisting with password management setup. It's important to remember the best practices we covered during October can become habits to stay safe all year long, such as pausing for a moment before responding to any messages. Cybercrime continues to grow, become more sophisticated, and harder to detect so it's important to stay aware.

We have recognized cybersecurity awareness month for many years with a variety of topics. You can view the past years on our security awareness archive section where we bring awareness on ways we can all play a part in staying safe online.