Security Guidelines

ITS wants to remind everyone of safe computing practices and data protection while teleworking, especially on personal computing devices. Below are some Security Guidelines for safe remote computing. If you have questions about the authenticity of an email or other safe computing practices, contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@ncat.edu or 336-334-7195.

Protect Sensitive Data:
  • Be aware of sensitive data that you come into contact with, their associated restrictions, and N.C. A&T ITS policies.
  • Connect to secure Wi-Fi. Public hotspots are not secure.
  • Be conscientious of what you plug into your computer (flash drives and even smartphones can contain malware).
  • Be careful of what you share on social networking sites.
  • Bank or shop online only on trusted devices and networks, and log out of these sites when finished.
Keep software up-to-date:
  • Turn on Automatic Updates for your personal computer operating system.
  • Use web browsers such as Chrome or Firefox that receive frequent, automatic security updates.
  • Make sure to keep browser plug-ins (Flash, Java, etc.) up-to-date.
Avoid Phishing scams:

Beware of suspicious emails and phone calls even if it looks official and definitely if they ask for personal or financial information.

Use strong password protection and management:
  • Use long, complex passwords; the more characters the better.
  • Use a strong mix of characters (upper case, lower case, numbers, and special characters), and never use the same password for multiple sites.
  • Do not share your passwords and do not write them down.
  • Update your passwords periodically. Change your password if you feel it may have been compromised.
Be careful what you click:
  • Avoid visiting unknown websites or downloading software from untrusted sources.
  • If attachments or links in an email are unexpected or suspicious for any reason, do not click on it.
Never leave your devices unattended.

The physical security of your devices is just as important as their technical security.

Use mobile devices safely:
  • Lock your device with a PIN or password and never leave it unprotected.
  • Only install apps from trusted sources.
  • Do not click on links or attachments from unsolicited emails or texts.
  • Avoid transmitting or storing personal information on the device.
  • Use Apple's Find my iPhone or the Android Device Manager tools to help prevent loss or theft.
Install Antivirus Protection:

ITS recommends either Windows Defender Antivirus or AVG Antivirus (free version) antivirus software for personal computers to protect files being transferred between work and home. Visit Installing Anti-Virus Protection for more information.

Backup your data.

If you are a victim of a security incident, the only guaranteed way to repair your computer is to erase and re-install the system.

When in doubt, check it out.

Contact the sender via different means to verify the authenticity of their communication.