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The “Potential Spam” pop-up is a great adaptation tool that some smartphones provide when a random number calls your phone. This is an easy way to receive a warning about someone potentially attempting to hack your socials or steal your information.  

But oftentimes, you don’t get a warning like this when you are doing something that could put you at risk of a cyberattack. It can happen quickly and unexpectedly, no matter who you are.

Cybersecurity precautions can save you and your information from malware and other cyberattacks. Start your 2024 off right by becoming confident in your cybersecurity.  

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James Raber, associate chief information officer in the Division of Information Technology at ������, highlights the importance of taking cybersecurity seriously.

“Think about what’s behind an email address,” Raber said. “That’s your direct deposit information, your insurance, your banking information.”

The division's Cybersecurity Team recently announced its new, yearlong campaign “Elevate Your Cyber IQ” to increase cybersecurity awareness at the university. At the start of each month, students, faculty and staff will receive a short email with a link to a Canvas module covering some facet of this important topic.

Elevate Your Cyber IQ modules will include information on viruses and malware, mobile device security, travel and more.

“If you look at cybersecurity attacks as a whole, human error is the most common way they happen,” Raber said. "This can include reusing the same password or falling for a false phishing email. Doing these things makes it a lot easier for robots or cybercriminals to hack your devices or steal information."

Whether you are a student, faculty or staff member, you can benefit from minimizing the chances of experiencing a cyberattack. Raber also said these courses should not take more than 12 to 15 minutes to complete.  

“We built a lightweight training course that anybody at Kent State can take, and should take,” Raber said.

Taking precautions and staying educated is extremely crucial in any business, university, college and even in your personal life.  

“It won’t happen to me,” is something about 80% of people in most demographics think in terms of misfortunes or accidents. This mindset is common and often used in physically harmful scenarios, but it also applies to cybersecurity. Most people either do not think about cyber threats in general, do not know about them or do not believe it is that important to worry about.  

Students, faculty and staff will receive emails starting early in the new year from the Division of Information Technology with information about the training modules and more information.  

“Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and this is a quick way to make sure you're on solid footing and know what to do if you come across something suspicious,” Raber said.

Keep an eye out for the Elevate Your Cyber IQ emails in 2024.

Find more on the Kent State Information Technology website.