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Category: Cybersecurity Awareness

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Longer passwords make brute force attacks more difficult. Brute force attacks involve malicious actors using powerful computers to guess your password. As you can see in the following chart provided by researchers at Hive Systems, the best protection against Brute Force attacks are complex passwords containing at least 13 upper and lower case letters.

It is estimated that passwords of this moderate complexity will take 241 million years to crack.

Adding numbers to the moderate complexity password containing 13 upper and lower case letters increases the password resilience against compromise to 2 billion years.

An even more secure password that adds symbols, would increase the 13 character password resilience to 11 billion years.

For extreme protection, particularly to guard against improvements in processing power of computers, an 18 character password containing numbers, upper and lower case letters, and symbols would take an estimated 19 quintillion years to compromise.

It is important to note that password complexity protects against automated guessing. A 13 character password that contains mixed case words may be difficult for a computer to compromise. However, access to personal information may enable a person to guess a password much more easily than a computer. Consider the implications of family names, birthdates, and occasions being shared on social media and how this information provides some contextual information that could assist someone in their password guessing attempts.

Source: Hive Systems https://www.hivesystems.io/password

This post is presented by the GW IT Cybersecurity Risk and Assurance team.

#SecuringGW is a shared responsibility, so if you see something, say something. Report suspicious digital activities, including phishing emails, to abuse@gwu.edu. 

IT Support Questions? For IT support, please contact the Information Technology Support Center at 202-994-GWIT (4948), ithelp@gwu.edu, or visit ithelp.gwu.edu. 

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GW Cyber Risk - One Minute Read

The FTC provides information concerning fake text messages you might receive. We have included excerpts of the content below as well as a link to the full article. The article describes the problem, provides examples, as well as offers tips on actions you can take if you receive fraudulent texts. Our bottom-line advice, validate text messages prior to taking actions they request using one or more of the following:

  • Pause and think before replying or following links. Even 'urgent' shipping notices can wait a few minutes.
  • Check you order history on merchants' websites. You have alternative means to check on order shipping status.
  • Review order confirmations and shipping updates in email messages to cross reference order messages.
  • Contact the sender, whether it is your boss or someone else, through a trusted method to verify they were the author and confirm details.

How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages - FTC Article

Excerpted from: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages#what_to_do

If you have a cell phone, you probably use it dozens of times a day to text people you know. But have you ever gotten a text message from an unknown sender? It could be a scammer trying to steal your personal and financial information. Here’s how to handle and report unwanted text messages.

fraudulent SMS text example

Spam Text Messages and Phishing

Scammers send fake text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information — things like your password, account number, or Social Security number. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers.

Scammers often try to get you to click on links in text messages by promising you something. Scammers might

  • promise free prizes, gift cards, or coupons — but they’re not real
  • offer you a low or no interest credit card — but there’s no deal and probably no card
  • promise to help you pay off your student loans — but they won’t

Scammers also send fake messages that say they have information about your account or a transaction. Scammers might

  • say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity on your account — but they haven’t
  • claim there’s a problem with your payment information — but there isn’t
  • send you a fake invoice and tell you to contact them if you didn’t authorize the purchase — but it’s a scam
  • send you a package delivery notification— but it’s fake

The messages might ask you to give some personal information — like how much money you make, how much you owe, or your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number — to claim your gift or pursue the offer. Or they might tell you to click on a link to learn more about the issue. Some links might take you to a spoofed website that looks real but isn’t. If you log in, the scammers then might steal your username and password.

For more information and the full article please visit the FTC website https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages.

This post is presented by the GW IT Cybersecurity Risk and Assurance team.

#SecuringGW is a shared responsibility, so if you see something, say something. Report suspicious digital activities, including phishing emails, to abuse[@]gwu.edu. 

IT Support Questions? For IT support, please contact the Information Technology Support Center at 202-994-GWIT (4948), ithelp@gwu.edu, or visit ithelp.gwu.edu. 

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The following Infographic provided by Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) contains ways for everyone to stay safe online. A download link for the infographic is provided below.

4 ways to stay safe online: Recognize & report phishing Delete phishing messages Use Strong Passwords Turn on Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
CISA Infographic - Tips to stay safe

Secure-Our-World-4-Easy-Ways-Stay-Safe-Online-Tip-Sheet-page-1Download

This post is presented by the GW IT Cybersecurity Risk and Assurance team.

#SecuringGW is a shared responsibility, so if you see something, say something. Report suspicious digital activities, including phishing emails, to abuse@gwu.edu. 

IT Support Questions? For IT support, please contact the Information Technology Support Center at 202-994-GWIT (4948), ithelp@gwu.edu, or visit ithelp.gwu.edu. 

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Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility for everyone. You can help #secureoutworld through direct action. Account compromises impacts individuals, families, organizations, and employers. The following tips can assist you in keeping your information and GW data safe.

The Core 4

As with most things in life, an ounce of cybersecurity prevention is worth a pound of cure. Follow our "Core 4" to show hackers you mean business.

1. Passwords / Password Managers

Use long, complex, and unique passwords. Every password should be at least 12 characters long and include letters, numbers, and symbols (like % or $). Ideally, your passwords should be random strings of characters, not recognizable words. Very importantly, each account should be protected by its own unique password. To create and store all these passwords, use a password manager!

2. Multi Factor Authentication

Switch on multi-factor authentication. Multi-factor authentication (MFA), sometimes called 2-factor authentication, adds a whole other level of security beyond your password. MFA will use biometrics, security keys, text messages, or an app to make sure you are you, even if a hacker gets access to your password. Enable MFA for any account that allows it!

3. Recognize and Report Phishing

Think before you click. Learn how to identity phishing messages, which will often try to inspire panic or urgency. Take a few seconds to read through the message and who sent it. With a little knowledge, you can spot most phishing attempts within moments.

4. Automatic Updates

Turn on automatic updates. The best way to get the latest, strongest security is to install software updates as soon as they are available - and the best way to know when they are available is to turn on automatic updates! Set it, forget it, and you won't regret it!

Checkout the Events Calendar for details on webinars related to the Core 4 and other cybersecurity topics.

Source: National Cybersecurity Alliance https://staysafeonline.org/online-safety-privacy-basics/hacked-accounts

This blogpost is offered to you by the GW Information Security and Risk Services team. 

#SecuringGW is a shared responsibility, so if you see something, say something. Report suspicious digital activities, including phishing emails, to abuse[@]gwu.edu. 

IT Support Questions? For IT support, please contact the Information Technology Support Center at 202-994-GWIT (4948), ithelp[@]gwu.edu, or visit ithelp.gwu.edu. 

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The National Cybersecurity Alliance partnered with Consumer Reports to bring you a new animated video [opens YouTube link] about how you can take control of your data! Check out "The Tale of Privacy Peyton" below, and download Consumer Reports' Permission Slip.

Image of for Tale of Privacy Peyton Video

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Do you get a little chill thinking about the dozens of login credentials you have set up throughout the wilderness of the internet? If so, don’t worry – you aren’t alone. Identity management, sometimes called identity and access management (IAM), increases in importance every year. That’s why we celebrate Identity Management Day!   

Identity management, though, is not just a concern for businesses and organizations. You can help protect your data by understanding and implementing some simple identity management practices. You have the power to own and maintain your digital identity!  

CONFIGURE YOUR SECURITY SETTINGS  

Every time you sign up for a new account, download a new app, or get a new device, immediately configure the privacy and security settings to your comfort level. Check the settings on old accounts and delete any apps or accounts you no longer use.  

DON’T TAKE THE BAIT  

If you receive an enticing offer via email or text, don’t be so quick to click on the link. Instead, go directly to the company’s website to verify it is legitimate. If you’re unsure who an email is from—even if the details appear accurate—or if the email looks “phishy,” do not respond and do not click on any links or open any attachments found in that email as they may be infected with malware. Report phishing to your organization’s IT department or your email provider.  

SHARE WITH CARE  

Think before posting about yourself and others online, especially on social media. Consider what a post reveals, who might see it and how it might affect you or others. Personal information readily available online can be used by attackers to do a variety of things, including impersonation and guessing usernames and passwords.  

SHIELD YOUR PASSWORD WITH MFA   

Multi-factor authentication (MFA), or as referred to in GW as 2-Step Authentication, will fortify your online accounts by enabling the strongest authentication tools available, such as biometrics or a unique one-time code sent to your phone or mobile device.  

USE A PASSWORD MANAGER  

Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts. While not a perfect solution, a password manager is currently the most secure way to send passwords and other login credentials to family members or coworkers. Duplicating passwords or using common passwords is a gift to hackers. If one account is compromised, a hacker will typically try the same username and password combination against other websites.  

TURN ON AUTOMATIC UPDATES  

Keep all software on internet connected devices – including personal computers, smartphones and tablets – current to reduce risk of infection from ransomware and malware. Configure your devices to automatically update or to notify you when an update is available. Software updates often fix security flaws. Outdated software can be riddled with security holes easily exploited by attackers.  

For more tips and advice, visit www.identitymanagementday.org/  

Original blog content provided by The National Cyber Security Alliance. For the original post, click here. 

For more information on GW IT Security, please visit our security website: https://it.gwu.edu/gw-information-security 

#SecuringGW is a shared responsibility, so if you see something, say something. Report suspicious digital activities, including phishing emails, to abuse@gwu.edu 

IT Support Questions? For IT support, please contact the Information Technology Support Center at 202-994-GWIT (4948), or visit ithelp.gwu.edu 

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Between all of your online accounts, whether personal or work accounts, you probably have many unique — and complex — passwords to manage.  And since you know better than to write them down in a notebook, have them on sticky notes hidden under your mouse pad, or stored digitally on your desktop, what are you supposed to do? 

Passwords are one of the most vulnerable cyber defenses used to protect our online accounts, as passwords are the only barrier between online accounts and cybercriminals who have a desire to access to our data and systems. Utilizing a password manager is a security best practice that cyber professionals are recommending for us.  

Along with other security tips, password managers minimize the risk of mis-managing our passwords. The question that arises here, are password managers secure, and what is our responsibility here to manage the password manager? 

What is a Password Manager?

A password manager is a software that allows users to generate passwords, store and manage accounts’ information including user names and passwords all in one location. Password managers offer other features such as complex password suggestions, identifying weak or repeated passwords used, and alerting its users from entering their credentials to suspicious websites. To create a password manager account, you need to set a password that is often referred to as the “master” password. 

Password managers are available in different formats: 

  • An online service hosted by a third party and accessed through a website portal. This type is useful if you need access to the password manager from multiple devices. 
  • Software installed locally on a workstation that can operate either completely offline or connected to the internet to synchronize your information to a cloud database and get software updates.  

Are Password Managers Secure? 

Password managers will offer users the security level they are looking for to their accounts’ credentials and information if they follow best practices to secure their password manager account.  Whether you use, or planning to get, an online, or an offline password manager, you need to follow the following practices: 

  • Do your research and get a trusted password manager software that has a high reputation in the industry. 
  • Use a strong master password for your password manager account and never forget it. Some password manager vendors would never retrieve your account if you can’t remember your master password. 
  • Enable two-factor-authentication (2FA) to your password manager account for an extra layer of security.  
  • Keep your password manager software along with web browsers you use up-to-date. 
  • Audit the list of devices that are approved to access your password manager. 
  • For work-related accounts, always use password managers that are approved by your organization. Follow your organization’s policies, standards and procedures when processing, storing or sharing work-related data. 

Remember, if password managers are managed appropriately, they will offer you the level of security you are looking for to your online accounts’ passwords. 

This blogpost is offered to you by the GW Information Security and Risk Services team. 

#SecuringGW is a shared responsibility, so if you see something, say something. Report suspicious digital activities, including phishing emails, to abuse@gwu.edu. 

IT Support Questions? For IT support, please contact the Information Technology Support Center at 202-994-GWIT (4948), ithelp@gwu.edu, or visit ithelp.gwu.edu. 

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Cloud computing is a leading edge technology that delivers high-demand computing services entirely over the internet. Operationally, cloud computing stores, manages and processes data effortlessly rather than relying on a local server or personal computer systems. Cloud computing gave birth to the term, “cloud storage.” 

Cloud storage stores digital data online using a cloud service provider’s computing infrastructure. Some well-known cloud services include Box, Google Drive, Apple iCloud, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, and Amazon Web Services. With many of us working hybrid schedules, cloud storage has been central to assisting students, faculty and staff work more connectively while being physically away from the university. For example, at GW, secure, encrypted cloud-based solutions such as Box and Google Drive are two of the cloud services provided to the university community for easy collaboration and data storage. 

The following are some key benefits of cloud storage: 

  • Adequate security, which requires authentication and password.
  • Your files are secure, and you are less likely to lose data due to device failure.
  • Facilitates collaborative team projects as you can easily share files and folders.
  • Easy access to lesson plans and notes to share across several devices.
  • An excellent way to back up your computer without copying your data to a hard disk or flash drive. 

While cloud storage offers good security measures to keep your data safe and secure, you need to do your part to guarantee that no one gains unauthorized access to your data. Following are some recommended practices to help you secure your data: 

Use Permissions: When a folder or file is shared, it's usually in the form of a link or permission using the recipient's email address. Consider setting different access levels for senior staff members or on a need-to-know basis. Permission-based access can make it harder for a hacker to get through each layer of permissions. 

Manage File and Folder Sharing: Protect stored data by limiting shared access to the files or folders associated with that link to specific users. When utilizing Box or Google Drive, it is usually best to only share files or folders with George Washington University members unless there is a business justification to share outside of the university. 

Examine Files and Folders: Review the shared folders and files regularly, and disable shared access when it's no longer required.

For more information on Storage, backup or document management, please visit our GW IT website: https://it.gwu.edu/backup-storage-document-management    

This blogpost is offered to you by the GW Information Security and Risk Services team. For more information on GW IT Security, please visit our security website: https://it.gwu.edu/gw-information-security 

#SecuringGW is a shared responsibility, so if you see something, say something. Report suspicious digital activities, including phishing emails, to abuse@gwu.edu 

IT Support Questions? For IT support, please contact the Information Technology Support Center at 202-994-GWIT (4948), ithelp@gwu.edu, or visit ithelp.gwu.edu.   

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Cybersecurity has become one of the most significant hot topics inside and outside technology circles over the last two years. From securing learning devices due to a rise in digital learning during the COVID-19 pandemic to coping with the fallout of high-profile breaches of national infrastructure such as the Colonial Pipeline, there is an evidently constant news cycle dedicated to cybersecurity mishaps and concerns. With this continuous stream of bad news, it can be challenging for you to know how to keep secure in the face of cybersecurity and threat actors. 

Everyday users have a huge role in cybersecurity threat prevention, detection, and remediation. According to a Wall Street Journal article, many hacks are successful by convincing someone inside or close to the target company to divulge network access credentials or other critical information. Therefore, GW’s first line of defense in helping to combat cyber-related issues is you. 

Here are 4 essential best practices that you can adopt today to enhance your cybersecurity and create a more secure cyberspace for you and GW.  

Watch out for Phishing Attempts

Phishing is when a threat actor poses as a legitimate party such as a bank, delivery service or other organization in an attempt to get individuals to click harmful links. Phishing remains one of the most popular tactics used  today. In fact, 80% of cybersecurity incidents stem from a phishing attempt. While phishing has gotten more sophisticated, the phishing signs remain the same. Look for typos, poor graphics, and other suspicious characteristics (incorrect logo or email address) as these can be red flags indicating that the content is a phish. In addition, if you think you have spotted a phishing attempt while logged into the GW network, report the incident to GW IT immediately. To report an incident please contact the GW Information Technology Support Center at 202-994-GWIT (4948) or email abuse@gwu.edu . 

Update your Password

Password cracking is another tactic that cybercriminals use to access sensitive personal information.  To guard against password cracking, having unique, long and complex passwords is one of the best ways to boost your cybersecurity immediately.  It is highly recommended not to repeat passwords across your accounts because once a hacker cracks one account, they can easily do the same across all of your accounts. 

Passwords can be tough to remember. That’s why it’s smart to use a password manager to help you secure your various passwords in one place. Password managers are easy to use and can automatically plug-in your stored password when you visit a site. Along with other security tips, password managers minimize the risk of mis-managing account passwords.

Take Advantage of Secure Wi-Fi 

Mobile hotspots and public Wi-Fi networks are typically not password-protected,  so it’s easier for threat actors  to gain unauthorized access to devices. Students, faculty, and staff should take full advantage of the university Wi-Fi networks when on campus. They are password-protected and only allow internet access across the university premises, operating as a secure online bubble for every user to work in peace.  

Lock your Device

Whenever you're logged into your devices (computer, laptop, phone, etc.),  you’re also open to potential unauthorized access by hackers and other threat actors.  The easiest way to prevent unauthorized access to your device is to lock it whenever you leave it unattended. All you have to do to get back on your device is enter the correct password, and you can pick up where you left off. If you wouldn't leave your house with the front door wide open, you should not leave your devices unlocked, especially when they are unattended.  

This blogpost is offered to you by the GW Information Security and Risk Services team. For more information on GW IT Security, please visit our security website: https://it.gwu.edu/gw-information-security  

#SecuringGW is a shared responsibility, so if you see something, say something. Report suspicious digital activities, including phishing emails, to abuse@gwu.edu. 

IT Support Questions? For IT support, please contact the Information Technology Support Center at 202-994-GWIT (4948), ithelp@gwu.edu, or visit ithelp.gwu.edu.  

Original blog content provided by The National Cyber Security Alliance www.stayfaeonline.org, modified and posted with permission. 

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Your digital identity and information are incredibly valuable to cybercriminals, whether it comes from your social media profiles, search engine history, or email accounts. If your account is compromised, cybercriminals may obtain personal information to commit identity theft, steal money, or conduct phishing attacks on others. According to the Verizon 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report, 61% of all breaches involve credentials, whether they be stolen via social engineering or hacked using brute force. In recent years, increased occurrences of identity theft and data breaches have been attributed to several factors, including a rise in the number of remote workers and the adoption of cloud technologies. 

Here are a few best practices that can, if followed, reduce the opportunity for a cybercriminal to steal your identity and associated information: 

Think Before You Click

Attackers often send fraudulent emails and text messages, referred to as phishing, to trick individuals into providing information such as usernames and passwords or downloading malware. If you receive an enticing offer via email or text, don't click without thinking. Go directly to the company's website to verify its legitimacy. If you're not sure who an email is from—even if the details appear correct—or if the email looks to be "phishy," do not respond and do not click on any links or open any files in the email as it may contain malware.

Report suspicious emails or ask GW Information Security questions you may have by emailing abuse@gwu.edu.

Share With Care

Cybercriminals can use publicly available personal information for various purposes, such as impersonating a user and guessing usernames and passwords. Think before posting about yourself and others online. Take into account what a post reveals, who could view it, and how it might affect you or others. Consider creating an alternate persona that you use for online profiles to limit how much of your personal information you share. 

Practice Good Password Hygiene

Never use the same password for your social media accounts, financial institutions, work accounts, or any other site that collects personally identifiable information (PII). Best practices for password hygiene include choosing long passwords, selecting a unique password for each account, resisting the temptation to select passwords that are simple to remember or guess, and never emailing or sharing passwords with others.

Use Two-Step Authentication (2SA)

Two-Step Authentication (2SA) is a security measure that requires users to go over two steps to verify their digital identity (something you know and something you own). With 2SA, a user is granted access to their account after entering the correct username and password credentials (Something you know) and completing the second authentication process using an authenticator app, SMS text, or phone call to authenticate a piece of information (Something you own). 

For GW accounts, 2SA is enabled on  GW Box, Google Apps (GW email, calendar, Drive), GWeb, and various other applications. Visit our website at  https://it.gwu.edu/two-step-authentication and learn more.

Download a Password Manager

Remembering passphrases and complex password combinations can be difficult for people to do. Password managers are encrypted digital tools that store passwords and online credentials in a centralized location secured by a single, strong master password. Additionally, password managers can also be used for generating unique passwords for each of your accounts. GW utilizes LastPass for managing passwords within certain departments and units. 

Some of the blog content is provided by https://staysafeonline.org/identity-management-day/identity-management-tips-advice/, modified to align with the University’s mission and common terminologies.

Visit the GW Information Security site at it.gwu.edu/gw-information-security

IT Support Questions? For IT support, please contact the Information Technology Support Center at 202-994-GWIT (4948), ithelp@gwu.edu, or visit GW IT site at it.gwu.edu. For self-help resources and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the GWiz knowledge base at go.gwu.edu/GWiz

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