Data Privacy Day is an international effort held annually on January 28 to create awareness about the importance of privacy and protecting personal information. Data Privacy Day is supported by the National Cyber Security Alliance, FBI, FCC, FTC, as well as many other international, national, and state organizations. As a part of the TTU Office of the CIO’s Cybersecurity Initiative, we encourage all digital citizens to visit the National Cyber Security Alliance’s Data Privacy website – www.StaySafeOnline.org – to learn more about protecting your personal and business privacy. Below are a few simple privacy tips from the National Cyber Security Alliance.
Privacy Tips
Share With Care
- What you post can last a lifetime: Before posting online, think about how it might be perceived now and in the future, and also who might see it.
- Own your online presence: Set the privacy and security settings on web services and devices to your comfort level for information sharing. It’s important to limit how and with whom you share information. The National Cyber Security Alliance provides links for checking many of your online privacy settings at https://staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-day/check-your-privacy-settings.
- Be aware of what’s being shared: Be aware that when you share a post, picture, or video online, you may also be revealing personal information and, possibly, information about others. Be mindful when and how you share information online and on social media.
- Post only about others as you would have them post about you: The Golden Rule applies online as well.
Personal Information Is Like Money. Value It. Protect It.
- Think before you act: Be wary of communications that implore you to act immediately, offer something that sounds too good to be true, or ask for personal information.
- Get two steps ahead: Switch on two-step verification or multi-factor authentication wherever offered to prevent unauthorized access. (E.g. “Username/password” combined with “Text to Cell Phone” verification).
For more information, please visit our Cybersecurity Practices Initiative site at http://www.cybersecurity.ttu.edu. On the website, you will find a rich collection of cyber safety practices and information, such as avoiding identity theft, mobile device data protection, social networking tips, and other topics of interest to digital citizens. For more information or questions, please contact your local IT expert or an area IT consultant. Some area IT consultants are listed at http://www.cybersecurity.ttu.edu under “Additional Resources.”
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The Cybersecurity Committee of the TTU IT Division has compiled useful information for you at http://www.cybersecurity.ttu.edu. If you do not wish to receive these periodic messages, please send an email to the address below.
(News release from Texas Tech University)