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Cybersafe Remote Learning & Working

With your help, TMU can minimize online threats.

Remote learning and work has increased the number of people using computers at home to do everything from viewing pirated videos, to gaming, and accessing their university accounts. 

Cybersafety is often about what you know and what you do before a breach, so we’re sharing a few basics to take charge of your cybersafety wherever you are.

Attackers will target university accounts

In an August 2021 security test, we discovered that approximately 2,000 TMU usernames and passwords had been stolen from compromised computers and were for sale on the dark web. Attackers who steal passwords also look for banking and other information when they infect your computer.

Cover your bases 

Here are a few ways to introduce foundational habits for increasing your cybersafety:

Know exactly what to do in a ransomware attack before it happens.

Secure your gateway to online activities by ensuring you’re using web browsers securely.

Set up automatic OS updates for your computer so you’re always protected with the latest security patches.

Be in control of your security status

Now is the time to proactively check the security status of your email and phone number.

The have I been pwned? (external link)  site tells you if your email or phone number have ever been compromised in a data breach.

If so, change your password right away and consider disabling the associated accounts that were breached.

Just for students: But why two-factor authentication?

When it feels like a hassle to grab verification codes just to log in to your account, it may help to know why so many universities require students to use two-factor authentication (2FA).

Want the super short answer? As a security process, 2FA is hard to bypass. Find out why we use 2FA.

Want the full answer? We’ll take you deep into the dark web and show you why passwords really are that vulnerable.

Also, if you’re a student who enrolled at TMU before September 2019 and have not yet set up two-factor, this requirement will be coming your way in February 2022.