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Information Security

7 Tips To Protect Your Orbit

Keep Systems, Data and UT Dallas Secure

As UT Dallas continues to embrace IT and move processes and procedures into a digital space, information security is more critical than ever. Whether you are a student pursuing your degree, faculty member working on groundbreaking research or a dedicated staff member supporting UT Dallas, everyone has a role to play in keeping the campus secure. The following best practices are recommended for all Comets, both on UT Dallas systems and on personal services. Learn more and act today to Protect Your Orbit.

1. Use Strong, Unique Passphrases

  • Create long, complex passphrases to ensure maximum security. Use a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. The longer your passphrase, the stronger it is. Avoid easily guessable passwords like “123456” or “password.”
  • Create unique passphrases for each of your accounts and services; never reuse passphrases across multiple sites. If one account is compromised, others remain secure.
  • Consider using a password manager to store and generate strong passwords for your personal accounts.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication

  • Extra layer of security: Two-factor authentication requires not just a passphrase but also a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone.
  • Enable two-factor on all accounts that offer it, especially email and financial services.
  • UT Dallas protects many of our own services through NetIDplus.

3. Be Wary of Phishing Scams

4. Keep Software Up-to-Date

  • Ensure your operating system, antivirus software and all applications are up-to-date. Updates often include security patches that help keep your system secure and resilient from malware and internet criminals.
  • Enable automatic updates where possible to ensure you don’t miss critical patches.

5. Secure Your Devices

  • Install and regularly update antivirus software to protect against malware.
  • Always lock your computer and mobile devices when not in use. Use strong passphrases, passcodes or biometric authentication.
  • Regularly back up important data to an external drive or cloud service, such as CometSpace, to prevent data loss. Learn about CometSpace.
  • Encrypt your device drives to mitigate risk in case your equipment is stolen.
  • Enable your computer’s firewall to ensure unnecessary network connections are denied.
  • Minimize storage of UTD data on your personal equipment and remove it after you complete your work.

6. Practice Safe Browsing

  • Only enter personal information on trusted websites you have validated that use “https://” in the URL, indicating a secure connection.
  • Public Wi-Fi networks can be insecure, do not perform work on or with sensitive data transactions if you are on a public Wi-Fi network.
  • Use a trusted VPN service if you need to access sensitive information on public networks.
    • UT Dallas offers a VPN service for secure connections to the campus. This service is not designed to handle sensitive transactions to services outside of UT Dallas (such as personal banking on an external site).

7. Educate Yourself and Others

  • Stay informed, read publications and announcements from the Information Security Office (ISO) to keep up with the latest security news and trends.
  • Participate in UT Dallas training sessions and workshops on information security.

By following these best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of data loss due to a security incident and help maintain a safe Orbit. Remember, information security is a shared responsibility, and staying vigilant protects yourself and UT Dallas.

If you have any additional questions or concerns on ways to stay secure, please email the Information Security Office at infosecurity@utdallas.edu or fill out and submit ISO’s contact form.