Incoming Jayhawks: protect your devices and data

So now you're a Jayhawk! Congratulations! However, even as you're basking in the glow of your accomplishment, don’t forget there are some basic technology to dos that will ensure you have a good start to the year. Remember: there’s always the possibility hackers are working to steal your KU Online ID and password. Below are some essential steps you can follow to ensure your first days are spent acquainting yourself with academics and not worrying about losing your identity.

Create strong, unique passwords

Since your KU Online ID is used to sign in to a wide array of services—including Blackboard, Enroll & Pay, your email and much more—be sure to create a strong password. Strong passwords include a mixture of capital and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols, and they are at least eight characters long. Once you have a good password in mind, make sure you don't use it for any other services. Worried you'll forget the complicated password you just made? A password manager or vault can help. Read more below.

Learn more about KU IT's password guidelines to make sure you’re picking a strong password that matches requirements. Also, if you forget your password, you can reset it by following the steps in this KU IT Knowledgebase article.

Use a password manager

Another great way to keep your data safe (and to ensure one hacked account doesn’t lead to others), is to use unique, strong passwords for every site you use. If you are worried that your passwords are too complex to remember, consider using a password manager or vault. While KU IT does not offer vault services, there are many free and reasonably priced solutions that are robust and well respected. Apple's keychain feature is widely used, as are vaults LastPass, Dashlane and LogMeOnce.

• Read an extended review of several leading services at pcmag.com.
• Read an Apple support article on Keychain access.

Run anti-virus and enhanced malware protection software

If you have a computer, you should have antivirus protection. Yes, even on a Mac! There are thousands of active viruses, and you need an antivirus program that can keep up. KU IT employs Sophos Antivirus to protect all KU workstations, and we recommend it for personal use as well. Learn more about Sophos from a KU perspective.

Work from the cloud

Do you really want to be the student who has to tell your professor that your crashed laptop ate your paper? KU IT offers 1TB of free, secure, online storage via OneDrive for Business in myCommunity. Additionally, KU students, faculty and staff can download free desktop versions of Microsoft Office products via myCommunity. Learn more here or get started using Office 365 and OneDrive for Business by logging in to mycommunity.ku.edu.

Walk the walk 

If you apply and master these suggestions, you will be better able to focus on what you came here to do: enjoy your new life as a Jayhawk!

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