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October 2, 2006

ULM launches National Cyber Security Awareness Month

Using a blitz of posters, e-board Ads, and public information outlets, the College of Business Administration at the University of Louisiana at Monroe has launched a student-designed effort to increase awareness of Cyber Security issues.

A group of approximately 30 students enrolled in the university’s Information Security Management class have mounted a campaign to inform the public that October is Cyber Security Awareness Month. Their goal is to increase public awareness of cyber-threats such as “Phishing,” password cracking, identity theft, social engineering, worms and viruses.

According to course instructor,Allen Johnston, these efforts serve two significant functions – to make our community more conscious of the computer-related threats that can cripple our personal and professional activities and to empower ULM students to share their knowledge and expertise related to information security.

Johnston said, “Our students are becoming computer security experts and have a message to share. They have taken a creative approach to spreading the word about security and are taking a proactive role in connecting with our campus and community regarding various safeguards that allow every individual to be more prepared.”

Johnston’s class offers the following awareness tips for home-based and business-related computing:

• Increase your computers’ defenses by keeping programs up-to-date
  
  
• Use difficult and unique passwords that are protected and changed monthly
  
  
• “Think first - Click later” – this simple motto may save you from opening harmful e-mail, instant messages, or pop-ups
  
  
• Protect your personal information. Remember, credible organizations never request personal information using e-mail.
  
  
• Look for the “padlock” or “key” in web page lower right corner to make sure you have secure web access
  
  
• Keep kids safe on-line by knowing who they are “talking” to at all times
  

For further information regarding this project and Cyber Security Awareness Month, contact Johnston at ajohnston@ulm.edu or 342-1142.

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