Don't be a phishing victim

Every day 80,000 people fall for a phishing scam and give away their personal information. Mobile users are particularly susceptible to phishing scams and often overlook some of the warning signs. When you're contacted via email, text, or phone call be on the lookout for these phishing warning signs.

1. Non-personalized greeting
   Phishing messages usually do not address you by name, but use a generic greeting, such as "Dear User."
2. Urgent/Threatening language
   Phrases such as "Your account will be terminated if you do not..." are often used to elicit a response.
3. URLs don’t match and are not secure
   If an email has a link, be cautious. On touch devices, you should long press links to determine the link destination, and on desktops, you should hover over links. Look for the lock and never log into a website that's not secure.
4. Poor grammar/misspellings
   Most phishing attacks originate from countries where English is not their first language. Use this to your advantage by spotting their errors.
5. Subject matter does not relate
   If you don't bank at Wells Fargo, don't reply to a message "from" Wells Fargo.
6. Request for personal information
   The tell-tale sign of a phishing message is the request for personal information, such as your address, social security number, account number, etc.

2014 National Cyber Security Awareness Month

Mobile security

Most people secure their homes, families, and desktop computers, but forget to secure their mobile devices. Use these tips to keep yourself, your device, and your data safe.

1. Fill out your emergency contact information
   Most mobile devices allow you to fill out emergency contact information that can be accessed from the lock screen without getting into your phone. If your device is lost and found by someone or if you are in an accident this information can be crucial.
2. Turn on your lock screen
   Enable the lock screen with a password or PIN so someone cannot just pick up your phone and have access to your photos, contacts, email, etc.
3. Encrypt your device
   Encrypting your device will prevent someone from getting your data if your device is lost or stolen.
4. Don't root or jail-break your device
   Rooting your device may allow you to do some interesting things, but it puts you at a much higher risk of getting malware.
5. Backup
   Accidents happen. Backup your data often so you won't lose your precious photos and other data in case your device is destroyed, lost, or stolen.
6. Location sharing
   Don't allow just any website or app to know your location. Find out why they need that info first.
7. Install a phone locater app
   If your device is stolen or lost, a phone locater app can help you and/or the police find your device.

Professional Use

In an increasingly connected global and competitive workforce, your letter of interest and résumé may not be all a prospective employer is reading about you. As social media becomes the latest branding strategy, networking technique, job seeking tool and recruitment vehicle, it's also becoming the latest way for people to get job offers rescinded, reprimanded at work, and even fired. What does your professional online image look like right now?

1. Take control of your online persona
   Once you post about yourself online, it is there to stay and out of your control. Think before you post the next selfie, consider the words you use online in your personal social media sites. Use your ePortfolio to present yourself in professional ways, and have these posts feed into your social media presences, like Facebook or LinkedIn.
2. Check your privacy settings
   An additional way for you to control your online presence is more restricted privacy settings of your personal social media sites. Leave your LinkedIn account wide open to catch the eye of prospective employers but lock down your Facebook profile so that fewer people can see your latest discussions with friends.
3. Don't announce interviews, raises, or new jobs
   This tip is really for individuals currently employed. If you're keeping your search "below the radar" from your current employer, don't post anything, anywhere about your job search.  If you don't have a job, posting that you're excited about your new job interview is okay -- congrats!
4. Don't badmouth your current or previous employer
   Negative comments can keep you from getting a job or may even get you fired.
5. Keep it clean
   Many employers provide computing resources and subsequently monitor those resources. Don't use these devices to access questionable content or even have sensitive conversations with your significant other on a work provided device.
6. Check with your manager
   Many businesses have a social media policy. If they do, adhere to the policy.

A "think before you post" video posted by the Australian Federal Police.

Tips for safe online shopping

1. Use familiar websites
   Use websites that have a strong reputation rather than shopping with a search engine. Beware of misspellings or sites using a different top-level domain (such as .net instead of .com).
2. Look for the lock
   Never buy anything online using your credit card that doesn't have proper SSL encryption. Look for the lock in the address bar and the URL to start with HTTPS:// (instead of just HTTP://).
3. Don't tell all
   No online retailer needs your social security number or your birthday to do business.
4. Check statements
   Regularly go online to review your bank statements to look for suspicious activity.
5. Use strong passwords
   Create a strong password that is different for each website.
6. Avoid public computers
   If possible, don't shop online from a public computer. You never know what software may be installed that could monitor your activity.
7. Use a VPN
   If you're not on a secure wi-fi network (like Auburn University's AU_WiFi) or using your 3G/4G data plan it's recommended to use a VPN.
8. Go to the gift card source
   Avoid purchasing gift cards from discount and auction sites like eBay. Buy gift cards from the source.
9. If it's too good to be true...
   You know how that phrase ends. Pass on the once in a lifetime deals.

Use official app stores

You should always download apps from trusted sources such as Google Play and the Apple App Store. While apps that contain malware sometimes slip into the official app stores, the chances of getting a corrupt app is much higher when you side-load or download apps from 3rd party sources. Even when you do install apps from official app stores review the permissions the app is requesting. Does that game really need access to your contacts, wi-fi settings, and call history?

Here are some apps that we can recommend:

Official Auburn University App

Whether you are a current or prospective member of the Auburn Family, stay connected with Auburn University through your Android phone or tablet. Use it to access the latest campus events and news, your schedule and grades, library resources, restaurants, people finder, campus map, live bus locations, and more! Android iOS

Auburn Accessibility

Do you attend Auburn University? If so, then Auburn Accessibility is the app for you! The Auburn Accessibility app provides for a convenient way to ask the Office of Accessibility any question you may have, schedule a jAUnt ride, inquire about services, and contact anyone in our office. Android iOS

Auburn Athletics Digital

The Auburn Athletics Digital app is the official digital publishing tool of the Auburn University Athletics Department. Fans can download the latest interactive publications, including the Athletics bi-monthly magazine, Tiger Roar. Publications feature moving graphics, videos, vivid images and more. Go behind the scenes with the Auburn Athletics Digital app. Android iOS

Auburn Career Fair Plus

If we say career fair you say... intimidating? overwhelming? stressful? This app's goal is to change that! Android iOS

Auburn Guides

Auburn Guides provides official information about Auburn University’s Camp War Eagle, Successfully Orienting Students (SOS), Career Center, Parent and Family Programs, and Welcome Week events. Android iOS

Auburn Rec

Are you an Auburn University student? This app puts detailed information about Auburn University Campus Recreation and the Recreation and Wellness Center at your fingertips. Register for group fitness classes, check out Intramural and Club Sport schedules, get updated pool hours, browse a list of upcoming events and programs, and receive notification of closures, cancellations, and more! Select your “favorites” with a click of a button, and receive reminders directly on your phone. Android iOS

Auburn Tigers Gameday

The official Auburn Tigers Gameday application is a must-have for fans headed to campus or following the Tigers from afar. With FREE LIVE AUDIO, interactive social media, and all the scores and stats surrounding the game, the Auburn Tigers Gameday application covers it all! Android iOS

Canvas by Instructure

Students, instantly access your Canvas courses--for free. Just like Canvas on the web, but you don’t have to lug around a laptop to keep up on your homework. Android iOS

Corq by CollegiateLink

Discover amazing events and groups around campus from your favorite mobile device. Corq pinpoints over 130,000 college and university events a year from more than 250 campuses across North America and helps you get plugged into college life. Android iOS

Lync (Skype for Business)

Lync 2013 extends the power of Lync and Skype for Business – including voice & video over wireless, rich presence, instant messaging, conferencing, and calling features from a single, easy-to-use interface. Android iOS

Microsoft Excel

View, create and edit Excel spreadsheets. Android iOS

Microsoft OneNote

Capture your thoughts, discoveries, and ideas with OneNote, your very own digital notebook. With OneNote you can seize that moment of inspiration, take your class notes, or track that list of errands that are too important to forget. Whether you're at home, in the office, or on the go, your notes are available to you on all your devices. Android iOS

Microsoft PowerPoint

View, create and edit PowerPoint presentations. Android iOS

Microsoft Word

View, create and edit Word documents . Android iOS

OneDrive

OneDrive is the one place for everything in your work and personal life. It gives you free online storage for all your personal files so you can get to them from your iOS device, computer (PC or Mac), and any other devices you use. With OneDrive for Business, you also get storage for your work files so you can share and collaborate on them with other people at your work or school. Android iOS

Panopto

Panopto Mobile lets you access all of your organization’s video content from any iPad or iPhone. View HD video presentations, lectures, training courses and events. Search inside your videos to find any keyword or topic. And record video presentations using your built-in camera. Android iOS

SOW - A Planting Companion

SOW is designed to tell you the optimum time to plant each crop in your home garden. Android iOS

Scopia

Scopia Mobile allows mobile users to connect with full video, audio and H.239 data collaboration to the nearly 2 million installed standards-based video conferencing and telepresence systems worldwide. Android iOS

This Is Auburn

This is Auburn is an official iPhone and iPad app of Auburn University and the Auburn Athletics Department. Whether you are alumni, a fan, or a current or prospective student, this app with immerse you in all things Auburn. Relive the traditions, Auburn’s athletic teams, the successful graduates, the facilities, the Family and much more. The images and videos will make you feel right at home on Auburn’s campus. Android iOS

Tiger Nutrition

The Tiger Nutrition app is for Auburn Student-Athletes as well as students and fans who like to follow the Tigers and would like healthy food recommendations for restaurants in and around SEC towns. Android iOS

TransLoc Rider (Tiger Transit)

TransLoc has raised the bar with this wholly re-imagined transit-tracking app. If you've ever stood in the rain wondering where your bus or train is, TransLoc Rider is the app for you. TransLoc Rider provides real-time transit tracking, arrival predictions and proximity alerts. Android iOS

Text Neck

"Text neck," the posture formed by leaning over a cellphone while reading and texting is a big problem" so says a NPR article that sites Dr. Kenneth Hansraj, chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery & Rehabilitation Medicine.

Excerpts from the post explain that "tilting the head forward just 15 degrees can increase the force on the cervical spine to 27 pounds. And at 60 degrees — the common texting posture seen on sidewalks, metros and office hallways everywhere — the stress on the spine can hit 60 pounds, thanks to the forces of gravity."

Hansraj concludes that "these stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possible surgeries."

Texting While Driving

So much public education has been given about the dangers of texting and driving; however, a staggering 49% of adults admit to texting and driving, even though 98% of adults say they know the practice is unsafe.

• 9 Americans are killed every day from vehicle accidents that involve a distracted driver
• 25% of vehicle crashes involve a cellphone
• 40% of teens say they were in a car where the driver's use of a cellphone put them in danger
• 33% of U.S. drivers ages 18-64 reported reading or writing text messages while driving
• 341,000 vehicle crashes in 2013 involved texting
• 5 seconds is the average time drivers take their eyes off the road to send a text
• 21 - 24 year olds are the most likely to text or email while driving