Institutional Security Resources and Awareness
Protecting your data and yourself online starts with practicing good cybersecurity habits. Safeguard yourself and the entire LaGuardia community by following these secure computing practices.
Cybersecurity Practices
Use Strong Passwords: Create passwords with at least 12 characters, including upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. Avoid using personal information like your name or date of birth. Don’t save your LaGuardia user IDs and passwords on the computer or in web browsers.
Be Careful with Emails: Don’t click on links or download attachments from unknown senders. Watch for signs of phishing, like spelling errors or unfamiliar email addresses.
Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your computer, phone, and apps to protect against security vulnerabilities. Use automatic updates whenever possible.
Back Up Important Data: Save copies of assignments, research, and other important files on a cloud service (like OneDrive-CUNY, Google Drive) or an external hard drive.
Use Antivirus and Antimalware Software: Install antivirus programs on your devices and keep them updated. This will help detect and block harmful files or programs.
Lock Your Devices: Use PINs, passwords, or biometric locks (like fingerprints) on your laptop, tablet, and smartphone to prevent unauthorized access.
Connect to Safe Wi-Fi: When using campus Wi-Fi, ensure you connect to the official LaGuardia network. If off-campus, avoid public Wi-Fi or use a VPN for secure browsing.
Think Before You Share: Be cautious about sharing personal details online, such as on your ePortfolio, LinkedIn, or any social media. Avoid posting information that could be used to guess your passwords or security questions.
Know Your Tech: Familiarize yourself with the security features of the tools and devices provided by the college, including LaGuardia’s online platforms and services and the CUNY security training and practices.
Don’t Trust Unknown Links: Avoid clicking on unfamiliar links sent via email, social media, or text messages. Always verify the source before proceeding.
Watch Out for Pop-Ups: Use browsers with built-in pop-up blockers, and don’t click on suspicious pop-ups that offer downloads or ask for personal information.
Report Anything Suspicious: Immediately inform the college’s IT department if you notice unusual activity, such as a strange email or a system behaving oddly.
Stay Informed: Complete CUNY cybersecurity training sessions offered by CUNY and stay updated on the latest security tips provided by the IT team.
Trust Your Gut: If something seems off, such as a website or message that doesn’t look legitimate, err on the side of caution and seek assistance.
Click here for more information about the Security Policies and Procedures.
Cybersecurity Awareness FAQs
Cybersecurity refers to practices and technologies designed to protect computers, networks, and data from unauthorized access, theft, or damage.
It helps protect your personal information, financial details, and digital accounts from hackers and fraudsters.
To keep my computer secure, I will make sure my operating system and software are always updated to fix any security vulnerabilities. I will install trusted antivirus software and run regular scans to detect and block malware. I’ll use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication for extra protection. I’ll avoid clicking on unknown links or downloading files from untrusted sources that might contain harmful software. I will also back up important files regularly to a secure location and always lock my computer when I’m not using it to prevent unauthorized access.
When using college computers and labs, always follow LaGuardia’s computer and lab usage policies and respect the privacy of others. Log in with your own credentials and never share your password. Be cautious when accessing personal or sensitive information, especially on shared computers. Avoid downloading or installing unauthorized software, as it could introduce security risks. Always log out of your accounts when you’re finished and make sure to leave the computer clean and ready for the next user. Additionally, report any suspicious activity or technical issues to the IT support team.
To log out properly from a campus computer and protect your information, make sure to sign out of any accounts or websites you’ve accessed, close all personal documents, and clear your browsing history and cache. Always use the official “Log Out” option and lock or shut down the computer when you’re finished. This ensures that no one can access your personal data and keeps the system secure for the next user.
Use at least 12 characters with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. Avoid using easily guessable information like your name or birthdate.
MFA is a security measure requiring users to verify their identity using at least two factors from these categories: something they know (e.g., password), have (e.g., smartphone), or are (e.g., fingerprint). It adds an extra layer of protection, making unauthorized access much harder even if a password is stolen. Common methods include verification codes, authenticator apps, biometric scans, or hardware tokens.
SSO allows users to access multiple applications with one set of login credentials, eliminating the need for separate logins for each system. Users log in once through a central system, which creates a secure pass that lets them access all the connected apps or services. This improves convenience, enhances security by reducing password reuse. SSO is often used in combination with MFA to enhance security while maintaining ease of access.
Look for signs like misspelled words, unfamiliar sender addresses, and messages that ask for personal or financial information or urge you to click on suspicious links.
Public Wi-Fi is not entirely secure. Use the official LaGuardia network and, if needed, connect through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to ensure your connection is secure.
Do not click on any links or download attachments. Report the email to the LaGuardia IT department or delete it immediately.
Keep your devices and software up to date by enabling automatic updates to protect against security vulnerabilities.
Antivirus software helps detect and protect your computer from malicious software (malware). Yes, you should install and maintain antivirus software on your devices.
A secure website starts with “https://” and shows a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar, indicating the website uses encryption to protect your data.
Immediately change your password. Notify LaGuardia IT support and monitor your account for any unauthorized activity.
Use a PIN, password, or biometric lock, enable automatic updates, and avoid downloading apps from untrusted sources.
Stay updated by following LaGuardia’s IT department for tips, attending cybersecurity training sessions, and staying informed on cybersecurity practices through official communications.