As National Cyber Security Awareness Month draws to a close, it’s important to remember some important tips year-round.

When in doubt, ask CIS

If you suspect an email to be phishing, call the Help Desk at 309-671-3400 or email [email protected].

Do not click on links or reply to a suspicious email, and do not provide any personal or financial information.

Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication

Keep your accounts safe by changing your passwords regularly. Do not use the same password for multiple websites. And create strong passwords or consider using a password manager.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides better account protection than just a password. Two-factor authentication requires a potential thief to also have possession of your phone in order to access your account.

The university requires 2FA in order to access sensitive data.

Encrypt your information

Encryption keeps the data on your device safe by making it unreadable if it is ever lost or stolen. You should use encryption on devices such as laptops, phones, tablets, and flash drives.

Contact CIS at 309-671-3400 for help encrypting your data.