Campus Connection

Think twice before you click. That’s the bottom line when it comes to emailing, chatting, social media and other forms of Internet communication. Whether you’re sending or receiving information, a wrong step could lead someone to steal your identity, make you the subject of a legal dispute, or infect your system with a virus. Strengthen your email and Internet communication security using these tips. When sending…

• Never send passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers or other confidential information via email. The university and other respectable businesses and organizations will never ask for this information in an email.
• Similarly, don’t ask someone for his or her confidential information via email.
• What you write to a colleague via email, chat, Facebook, Skype, etc. is subject to the same behavioral guidelines as a face-to-face conversation under UW-L and UW system policies.
• Don't use your UW-L email for personal correspondence, and don't use your personal email account or social media to conduct official university business. This will help you avoid having your personal communications disclosed in response to a public records search or internal investigation.
• Emails are easy to forward. Write with the presumption that they will be. Deleting email from your inbox does not mean it is removed from the Internet.
• Never forward emails you suspect to be spam.

When receiving…

• Learn to spot phishing. This is when someone is trying to obtain your confidential or financial information. It may be an email from someone claiming to be a friend asking you to wire money to a far off country or someone claiming you won money, but they need your financial account information to deposit it.
• Look for bad grammar, poor spelling and odd formatting. These emails often have links, attached files or images that are clickable and they encourage you to click.
• If you are unsure whether you are the subject of a phishing scam and the email is from someone you know, check with the source directly to find out.
• Be suspicious regardless of logos and email links that look real.
• Don’t fall for threats. You may have seen emails that say, “Your account will be shut down if you don’t respond” or “Your computer has a virus. Click here to remove the virus.”
• System updates don’t come via email.

This is the first of four information security stories in the Campus News this month as part of Information Security Awareness Month. Throughout October, UW-L information technology and communication officials will be providing tips for more security in the Internet age. Stay tuned for tips on password security, system security and mobile security. “Keeping information secure is everyone’s responsibility,” says Mohamed Elhindi, assistant vice chancellor of Information Technology Services and chief information officer. “As assistant vice chancellor, I cannot protect it by myself. Everyone has to understand it is critical to protect his or her assets.”