October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and all month long we are spotlighting real cybercriminals and the practical steps you can take to protect yourself and our campus community.
Meet "Cozy Bear"
"Cozy Bear", a Russia-backed cybercriminal group, is known for targeting outdated and unpatched software. When software companies release updates, "Cozy Bear" analyzes them to identify the security vulnerabilities those updates address. Then they look for organizations and individuals who have not yet installed the updates, giving them an opportunity to exploit those weaknesses.
Every time you postpone an update, you are giving hacker groups, like "Cozy Bear", additional time to exploit your system's vulnerabilities.
Don't Make Life Easy for "Cozy Bear"
Protect your accounts and devices by following these cybersecurity best practices:
- Enable automatic updates whenever possible
- Regularly check that your operating systems, browsers, applications, and devices are up-to-date
- Restart devices when updates require it so security fixes can be fully applied
Think updating your devices and apps doesn't matter? Updates do much more than introduce new features. They often include important security patches that help protect your devices and accounts from cybercriminals like "Cozy Bear". Most updates take only a few minutes to install, even when a restart is required. When prompted, install updates, enjoy a short break, and don’t make life easy for hackers!
Why Updates Matter
University accounts provide access to valuable resources, including email, coursework, research, payroll information, and university systems. ITS and our technology partners regularly release updates and security patches designed to help protect those resources.
Don't give cybercriminals an easy opportunity. Installing updates as soon as they become available is one of the simplest and most effective ways to strengthen your security and help protect the university community.
Keep Learning, Stay Protected
Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your cybersecurity knowledge, explore additional tips and resources from ITS.
During the month of October, expand your knowledge by participating in the Big Ten Academic Alliance Cybersecurity Awareness Month events. These events provide valuable insights from cybersecurity experts, practical guidance on today's most common threats, and helpful strategies for protecting your personal and professional information.