You better watch out… for cybercrime

Cincinnati State Information Technology Services reminds you to stay on high alert while online– at work and at home– during the holiday season.

According to a recent report on Local12 TV, ransomware attacks and other forms of cybercrime were up 90% at the beginning of the holiday shopping season. So while you’re online:

• Pause before you click – Email links and attachments are the most common ways that cybercriminals launch virus and ransomware attacks (“locking” your computer resources so you can’t use your files or applications until you pay the ransom).
   
• Shop online carefully – Cybercriminals increase their efforts during the holiday shopping season.

ITS also reminds CState employees that the College Operations Manual and the Information Security Governance Policies state that College devices (computers, tablets, and cell phones) are to be used only for College activities.

Online shopping with College owned-equipment increases the risk of adding viruses and/or ransomware to these devices.

(Image from https://pix4free.org)