According to hackmageddon.com, hacking has become a more common type of crime. The government is the No. 1 target and industries are a close second.
An article published in Time Magazine in early September reported that nearly 5 million Google passwords were uploaded to a Russian forum, with more than 60 percent being for active accounts.
Because of this new generation of criminals, Internet users are being more cautious, including the University of Indianapolis.
In November 2013, UIndy switched from its previous email provider, Zimbra, to Gmail. Recently, UIndy hired a new Senior Director of Networking Security Systems and Infrastructure Matthew Wilson, a 1999 UIndy graduate. Patching servers, guarding networks and protecting valuable information are all under his watch, Wilson said.
According to Wilson, even with hacking becoming more common, it usually targets servers that are consumer based, and with the campus’s switch to Gmail being just last year, servers are secure.
Wilson said that what separates UIndy’s Gmail servers from others is a security strategy that caters to the needs of the campus. He assured students that they will not be affected with any recent Gmail hackings.
Patching, or updating of software, is continuously being done to secure the university’s servers to ensure safety, Wilson said.
The university’s IS team constantly monitors the servers to keep watch for any threats, but there are things Internet users can do to protect themselves, and Wilson gave these tips for students to follow.
Run the updates for your operating system and other software on a regular basis.
Be sure to use strong passwords and do not use your UIndy password on social media sites. Additionally, do not use the password for your online banking site for any other site either.
Remember if offers in email sound too good to be true, then they usually are and might be attempting to just acquire personal information.
Do not hand over a username and password because legitimate messages will not ask you for this info. Your information, and the information you have access to is valuable.
Finally, use anti-virus software and keep it up to date. Protecting your computer also protects Gmail servers. Anti-malware software also may be a good idea.
More tips can be found at wikihow.com and many other websites.
