CSN Logo

OTS - Cybersecurity

Cyber Security Awareness

Did you know that most people fall victim to hackers because of Weak or Shared Passwords?

Tips to Keep You and Your Information Safe:
  1. Consider downloading an app like “LastPass” on your mobile phone to generate a secure password for each application or website you use (it will even keep it safely stored for you and best of all, LastPass is Free!)
  2. Don’t reuse old passwords (the older they are, the more likely they have already been compromised)
  3. Don’t use the same password on multiple sites; you never know when one login is compromised. Use LastPass for a new password and keep it safely stored using the app.
  4. Never share your password with anyone for any reason (even co-workers and family) – What they don’t know can hurt you!
  5. If you store a copy of all your accounts and passwords on your laptop or tablet, make sure it is individually password-protected using a unique, strong password (google strong password or use LastPass to generate one for you!)

Preparation for the Upcoming Holidays

Keep Secure Communications

Did you know that clicking on a link or an attachment can allow an intruder access to your whole home or company network?

Tips to Prevent You From Falling Prey to Phishing and Social Engineering Schemes:

  1. Always verify the sender of an email or anyone calling your home or cell phone
    1. Questions to ask yourself:
    2. Am I expecting this email/call?
    3. Is the email address correct?
    4. Are they asking for something out of the normal?
    5. When in doubt, call or text the person to verify the sender. If they are a company advertising a job or something else – go directly to their website to investigate and check the Better Business Bureau before providing any personal information.
  2. Never provide personal information about yourself or anyone in your family unless you can verify the person or company and they have a real reason to have this information (watch out for unsolicited job offers via email)
  3. Never download attachments without knowing the sender (it could be phishing)
  4. Don’t click on links sent to your mobile phone or reply to voicemails threatening you (if it seems like a surprise, it probably isn’t legitimate)
How do I send an encrypted email?

Whenever you need to send an email to a recipient outside of CSN, it is very important that it be encrypted, especially if it contains Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of students, staff, or faculty. PII is defined by the US Government as:

Information which can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, such as their name, social security number, biometric records, etc. alone, or when combined with other personal or identifying information which is linked or linkable to a specific individual, such as date and place of birth, mother’s maiden name, etc.

Send An Encrypted Email Graphic

I’ve Received Spam or a Suspicious Email. What Should I Do?

If you have received spam or a suspicious email, follow the steps below:

  1. Do not click any links within the email.
  2. Forward the message to spam@csn.edu so the OTS team can investigate the email.
  3. Delete the email.

If you have clicked any links within the email or opened any suspicious attachments, contact the OTS Help Desk.