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06/02/25 - CyberSafe Monthly - Summer Privacy and Security Tips

SUBJECT: CyberSafe Monthly - Summer Privacy and Security Tips
DATE: June 2, 2025
SENDER: Information Security & Privacy Office

CyberSafe Monthly header with Gnarls wearing a cybersecurity tshirt

As you dive into summer projects, internships, job applications, or grant opportunities, keep your personal and university data secure with these essential tips. By adopting a few simple precautions, you can avoid identity theft and data breaches while you focus on your summer goals.

Protect Your Privacy: Never Share Personal Information

Whether you’re on the hunt for an internship, applying for a grant, or planning summer travel, it's important to be careful about sharing sensitive information like your Social Security number or banking details. Reputable companies—whether they're potential employers or travel agents—won’t ask for that kind of information right off the bat, and they will typically request it through a secure service, not via email, phone, or text.

Illustration of Gnarls sitting at a desk with laptop open and a large computer screen with icons for a lock, cyber shield and checkmark

Take Action: Never share sensitive personal information unless absolutely necessary, and only through trusted, secure channels.

Patch, Update, and Restart Your Devices

‌When was the last time you updated or restarted your personal devices? As we settle into summer, now is a great time to take a few minutes to check for patches and updates and boost the security of your personal devices.

Illustration of a computer screen, tablet screen, and mobile screen showing security checkmarks.

Take Action:

  • Install all available patches and software updates on your laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Patches fix known security vulnerabilities and updates strengthen overall protection. To check for updates, go to your device’s Settings and look for options like "System update," "Software update," or "Check for updates."
  • Restart your devices after updating. Many security updates and patches only take full effect once the device has been restarted.
  • Make this a habit—regularly rebooting devices can disrupt certain types of malware and improve performance.

Don't Take the Bait! Report Phishing Scams to IT Central

Our Phish Bowl collects recent scam messages sent to members of the community and notes all red flags within each message so you can learn to spot the signs of common phishing scams. Be sure to report any suspicious emails to IT Central and we’ll make sure they’re added to our collection.

REPORT A PHISH

For additional information, visit our Data Privacy page or email the Information Security & Privacy Office at ispo@newschool.edu.

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