Don’t Share Confidential Information

  • Don’t provide sensitive company or customer information in unsolicited emails or phone calls.
  • It’s important to remember that the bad guys can be very convincing and what they do tricks a lot of users. Being on the lookout for anything suspicious will help protect confidential information.
  • Emailing usernames and passwords is never a good idea.
  • Be especially cautious of suspicious emails that look like they are from PayPal or a bank.

Use Strong Passwords

  • Don’t reuse the same password for multiple accounts.
  • Passwords should contain capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Passwords should not contain personally identifiable information like social security numbers or dates of birth.

Avoid Accessing Sensitive Information on Unprotected Computers

  • Hotel business centers and Internet cafes typically aren’t regulated or secure. Accessing sensitive information on public devices could allow others to access it as well.
  • Malicious software could allow others to snoop on what you are doing, and gather usernames, passwords, and credit card information.
  • Ask your IT department about establishing a VPN to allow safe access while traveling.

Avoid Leaving Sensitive Information Lying Around

  • Don’t keep passwords on sticky notes.
  • Shred documents that contain confidential information.
  • Don’t leave mobile devices, laptops, or desktops unlocked when you aren’t at them.
  • Use Windows key + L to quickly lock your computer when stepping away.
  • Small devices like phones, portable hard drives, and flash drives are easy to lose or steal. Be wary of this while traveling.

Report Anything Suspicious to IT

  • If we know about it, we can fix it quickly before it becomes a bigger problem.
  • If you’ve lost your smartphone or another device, report it immediately.