Keep safe online, students, as new semester gets underway

As fall semester gets underway at Eastern, students returning to campus should make sure their technology is as up to date as the new academic year.

That means ensuring that their computers have the latest patches installed, their software and operating systems are current, their work is backed up, their passwords have been changed and that they have reacquainted themselves with the technologies they will be using as they return to classes.

Here are some timely tips to students as the new semester gets started:

• Even though it’s not required of them, students should change the password to their PantherMail account and other accounts that provide online access, in order to protect themselves. Over the long summer break, they may have even forgotten their password and so will need to create a new one. Information Technology Services’ password reset application, available at http://password.eiu.edu enables them to do so easily. This advice applies not just to returning students but especially to incoming freshmen and transfers, as well.
• Students should make sure that they have approved antivirus software running on their computers. Without it, they will not be able to function on Eastern’s campus network. They’ll also need to have SafeConnect downloaded and operating on their computer in order to connect to the campus network. Simply accessing the network will prompt the installation of SafeConnect.
• Up-to-date operating system patches should be installed on every computer.
• Students should make sure they are familiar with the use of D2L, Eastern’s integrated learning management system.
• Coursework, all work from the previous semester and personal data should be backed up in case of computer or hard drive loss or failure. Office 365, available as part of each student’s PantherMail account, provides a cloud-based backup service called OneDrive, which is available free to all students and which provides unlimited storage capacity. OneDrive can be accessed by clicking the OneDrive tab in the upper right corner of the Office 365 screen.
• Students should avoid unknown websites and refrain from opening email attachments from unfamiliar senders in order to lessen the threat of infections. And the threat of viruses is another reason to make sure that data is backed up.
• Hackers also may target banking or financial accounts. If students receive emails seeking information about such accounts, they should exercise caution. And if such emails purport to be from Eastern, they should contact Financial Aid or the Business Office to verify them. If you receive an email that you feel is a phishing attempt, please forward the email to the following address: phishing@eiu.edu.

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