Cybersecurity Awareness Month
What is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a government and private sector partnership that raises awareness about cybersecurity and best practices for preventing cyberattacks and the spread of malware. Cyberattacks can result in serious problems for the University and its faculty, such as the alteration and misrepresentation of faculty data, the loss of private information the University is legally bound to protect, or a massive shutdown of the University’s online operations.
The University of Chicago joined more than 1,700 other organizations by committing to support this campaign as a Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champion. As part of that effort, the Information Security team will share weekly blog posts that include helpful and interesting facts and recommendations selected to keep members of the University community informed about the latest security concerns and empowered to do their parts to keep themselves and the University safe.
2025 Focus
This year’s theme, Stay Safe Online, is all about the simple ways to protect yourself, your family and your business from online threats.
Small actions can make a big difference. That’s why we’re focusing on the Core 4. Four easy steps anyone can take to boost their online safety:
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Update software and apply security updates often
Events & Activities
The Core 4 empowers everyone to understand the simple ways to protect the University, you, and your family from online threats. We’re increasingly connected through digital tools and more of our sensitive information is online. This convenience comes with risks. Each of us has a part to play in keeping ourselves and others safe. It’s easy to do and takes less time than you think.
Join us for exciting events and activities that will hone your cybersecurity knowledge and reinforce secure behaviors to use in your daily lives.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025 Blog
- Job Fraud Threats Targeting Students
An employment fraud threat involves an attempt to recruit someone under the premise of a legitimate job offer. Threat actors (scammers) will craft fraudulent job offers, hoping to steal money or personal information, or to recruit an individual to unknowingly comply with illegal activities such as money laundering. Threat actors typically pose as recruiters or employers and try to entice victims with many opportunities.
- Frauds and Scams Students Guide
Practical resource designed to help college students recognize and avoid common scams targeting them. It covers real-world examples of financial fraud and explains how each one works, what warning signs to watch for, and how to stay protected. Additionally, it includes prevention tips and trusted resources for reporting or learning more about fraud.
- Identity Theft
Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission. They might steal your name and address, credit card or bank account numbers, Social Security number, or medical insurance account numbers.
- The Benefits of a Password Manager
Using a password manager is widely recommended as a cybersecurity best practice as it helps you create strong, unique passwords for every account and greatly reduces the risk of your accounts being compromised due to weak or reused passwords.
- Learn how to locate the Report Phish button on your email client
Use the "Report Phish" button/menu to forward suspicious emails to IT Security and include the necessary information needed, like the email headers that are important in determining if the email is malicious.