Protect What Connects You

In Week 4 of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Department of Information Technology reminds the Seton Hall community how important it is to secure laptops, tablets and smartphones to protect both personal data and the University network. These devices store coursework, passwords and University information, making them valuable targets for cybercriminals. A single lapse, such as connecting to an unsecured network, delaying a software update or leaving a device unattended, can lead to identity theft, data loss or unauthorized access to University systems.

Since students, faculty and staff are connected through the University’s network, one compromised device can affect the entire community. By keeping your devices secure, you help protect your information and everyone at Seton Hall.

Device Security, Maintenance and Care

Below are ten simple, high-impact habits and practical steps you can adopt today to keep your devices and our community safe.

1. Keep devices with you or locked away. Do not leave laptops, tablets or phones unattended in classrooms, libraries or public spaces.
2. Handle with care. Keep food and drinks away from laptops, avoid long periods of direct sunlight and use padded carrying cases when traveling.
3. Protect access to your devices. Set a strong password, PIN or biometric lock for each device. Use long passphrases when possible and enable auto-lock after five minutes or less of inactivity.
4. Use different passwords for each account. One breach should not unlock all your logins.
5. Avoid insecure public Wi-Fi. Use Seton Hall’s secure Wi-Fi or your mobile hotspot. If you must use public Wi-Fi, avoid logging into sensitive accounts.
6. Back up regularly. Use OneDrive or another secure cloud service to back up documents and photos. This allows you to recover data if a device is lost or compromised.
7. Take photos of serial numbers.It takes only a moment to photograph each device’s serial number. Store the photos securely to provide proof of ownership if a device is lost or stolen.
8. Clean up digital clutter. Remove unused apps and files to boost performance and limit vulnerabilities.
9. Check app permissions. Only download apps from trusted stores and review what information they can access.
10. Wipe data before donating or selling. Always reset old devices to factory settings to remove personal information before recycling or giving them away.

If Your Seton Hall Laptop Is Lost or Stolen

If your Seton Hall laptop is lost or stolen, report it immediately. Contact University Public Safety if the theft occurs on campus, or the local police department if it occurs off campus, and obtain a police report. For Seton Hall–issued devices, notify the University by emailing [email protected] or visiting the Asset Management Office in Corrigan Hall, Room 27, on the South Orange campus to arrange a replacement. A replacement laptop fee equal to the laptop’s value will be added to your Bursar account.

Categories: Science and Technology