YouAlberta
October’s Cybersecurity Month, which makes it a great time to review your habits when it comes to being safe and secure online.
Whether it’s passwords, dealing with hacks or proactive steps you can take to protect yourself, the U of A’s Cybersecurity Team has your back.
The YouAlberta bloggers had the chance to ask the team about some important cybersecurity issues on their minds – here’s what we learned.
Teren
How often should students actually be changing their passwords?
Every day. 😂 Just kidding! If you use a strong password that’s long and unique, you only need to change it if you suspect it’s been stolen.
Is there a safe way to store your many different passwords in one place so you can be reminded of them?
Using a dedicated password manager is the safest and most effective way to store and manage all your login credentials in one place. Password managers store all of your passwords inside an encrypted digital vault accessible only with a single master password or biometric authentication (such as FaceID).
Google Passwords and Apple Passwords offer this service at no cost. Other reputable options include 1Password, Bitwarden and Dashlane. We encourage you to research these options and choose the one that works best for your budget and the devices you own.
Gurleen
What should I do if my account gets hacked? What are the immediate steps to take?
Change your password immediately from a trusted device, especially if you can still log in.If you can't access the account, use the service's official account-recovery process.
- Enable MFA/2FA if it isn't already enabled.
- Don't reuse the compromised password on other accounts.
- Change it anywhere else you use it.
Marlena
What cybersecurity risks do university students encounter most often without realizing?
Students often face risks without realizing it, like reusing passwords, clicking convincing phishing links, downloading unsafe software or oversharing personal information online. These can seem harmless at the moment but give attackers an easy way in.
How can students recognize fake job postings or internship scams that are meant to steal personal information?
Be cautious if a job seems too good to be true, asks for money or sensitive information upfront or requires you to move the conversation to a personal email or messaging app.
Verify the employer and posting through the company’s official website and never send banking information, passwords or government ID before you’ve confirmed the opportunity is legitimate.
Terrence
How can students build their cybersecurity literacy and learn more?
Start with the basics: learn to spot phishing, use MFA and use a password manager. Follow your university’s security updates — and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Harmony
Are there any cyber risks or dangers that are unique to students?
Students are a great target because you’re constantly getting emails about grades, tuition, jobs, scholarships and deadlines. Attackers know this too, which makes fake job offers, financial-aid scams and “urgent” university emails especially effective.
Prabhnoor
What’s something students do online every day that cybersecurity experts would never do themselves?
Using the same password for everything is one thing experts would never do. Your Netflix password shouldn’t also be the key to your university email, banking and entire digital life.
If someone stole my phone today, how much of my digital life could they realistically access?
Your phone may contain access to your email, social media, photos, banking and other accounts. A strong screen lock password combined with MFA can significantly limit what a thief can access.
Make sure to enable your phone’s tracking and remote-wipe features too!
Mel
How can you ensure that your research and intellectual property/material is properly protected and secure?
Keep your research in approved university storage, use MFA and strong passwords, and be careful about who you share it with. If it’s unpublished or sensitive, think twice before putting it into third-party tools or AI services.
Learn more and contact the Cybersecurity Team
Discover official security toolkits, campus updates, and professional support avenues available to the campus community.