Protect your devices

UFV devices

UFV devices have several security measures in place to keep them, and your data, protected. For more information on how your UFV device is protected, see these Knowledgebase articles (login with your UFV account is required):

Personal devices

Tips for personal devices

Keep social media locked down: Don't make your personal social media accounts public. You never know who is watching; hackers will use any of your public information against you.
Keep your system up to date: Avoid postponing system updates. These updates come with new security patches and help your antivirus catch the latest threats.
Give your browser a boost: Get familiar with your browser's security settings and customise them to your needs. Keep your browser updated to stay safe from the latest threats.
Enable antivirus: Windows 10 and 11 devices have built-in Windows Security, including virus and threat protection, and macOS devices have XProtect built in. Other popular choices are Malwarebytes and BitDefender. (Please note: these antivirus options for personal devices are not sponsored by or supported by UFV's IT Services. For help with these products, please contact the vendor.)
Download files safely: When you download files off the internet, use caution and ensure that you are getting them from a trusted source.
Avoid suspicious websites: Stay away from suspicious or illicit content. They may offer downloads with malware, some can even install malware just by visiting the site. Many browsers (Firefox, Google Chrome, Edge) will block known malicious content, or warn you if content could be unsafe - don't ignore these warnings.
Back up your data: Make sure you are prepared in case of hardware failure, corruption, or ransomware attack. For important data, it's a good idea to keep an onsite copy (saved to your computer, external hard drive, or USB) and a cloud copy (for example, OneDrive or iCloud).
Beware of dangerous or unknown USB drives: don't use USB drives that aren't your own, as they may be infected with malware.

New device checklist

Have a new phone, laptop, tablet, or smart device? Take these steps to customize it and stay cyber-safe:

Change any default passwords.
Lock your device with a strong PIN, password, and/or biometrics.
Review and update your device's privacy and security settings.
Update your device's operating system to the latest version.
Enable automatic software/app updates to keep them updated.
Enable built-in antivirus or install another trusted antivirus program.
Uninstall any apps, games, or programs that you won't use.
Review app permissions, look out for any apps asking for data not relevant to their function (e.g., a calculator app shouldn't need access to your files or camera).
Turn off location/GPS services and Bluetooth when not in use.
For webcams, apply a webcam cover and keep it closed when not in use.