Top Five Tips for Safe Computing

One fundamental element of good cyber hygiene is regularly updating your software and applications. Updates often patch vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit to gain unauthorized access. For instance, keeping your operating systems, antivirus software, browsers, and applications current protects you against known security flaws. Enabling automatic updates on your devices whenever possible is a smart way to ensure you’re consistently protected without needing to manually check for updates.

Passwords are often the first line of defense for your digital accounts. Creating strong, unique passwords significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access. Instead of relying on easy-to-guess passwords like birthdays or simple words, consider using longer passphrases that combine random words, numbers, and symbols. Utilizing a trusted password manager, like 1Password, can help you securely generate and manage your passwords, reducing the risk and hassle associated with password management.

Passwords alone can sometimes fall short, especially if compromised in a data breach. That’s where multi-factor authentication (MFA) becomes invaluable. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to verify your identity through multiple means—such as entering a code sent to your phone—making unauthorized access significantly harder. Enabling MFA on your university accounts, email, financial apps, and social media is a crucial step in maintaining your cyber security. At Texas A&M, we use Duo for MFA when logging in with your NetID.

Email is one of the most common ways attackers attempt to breach personal and institutional security. Phishing emails—fake messages designed to trick you into providing sensitive information—can be convincing. Always approach unsolicited emails, especially those requesting personal details, with caution. Verify sender identities before clicking links or opening attachments. Texas A&M University provides tools and resources to help identify and report suspicious emails, making it easier to keep yourself and the community protected.

Imagine losing an important term paper, your thesis, or essential professional data due to a ransomware attack or hardware failure. Regularly backing up your data helps avoid these scenarios by creating secure copies of your critical information. Cloud storage solutions, external drives, or dedicated backup services are effective ways to ensure your information remains safe and recoverable, allowing you to quickly bounce back from data-loss incidents.

Maintaining good cyber hygiene is an ongoing responsibility, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By adopting consistent habits and taking advantage of the resources available at Texas A&M University, you'll be well-prepared to protect yourself and your community against cyber threats.