Stay Cyber-Safe, Live Cyber-Smart

Vandy life is fast-paced, connected, and full of opportunities—but that also means cyber threats are never far away. From phishing emails to hacked social accounts and stolen financial info, today’s attackers know how to target busy students.

 

“Stay Cyber-Safe, Live Cyber-Smart” is about helping you protect yourself: by staying safe, mindful, and aware online, so you can keep your personal information secure and focus on what really matters—your life, your education and your future.

 

Looking to boost your online safety in just a few minutes? Log into our Cyber-Safe Video Vault to explore quick, engaging videos.

Cyber-Safe Tips

  • Use Strong, Unique Passwords

    Don’t use the same password for everything. Make them long and hard to guess. Think of a passphrase.

    Instead of 'Vandy2025,' try 'BluePizza!8aTree' for your email, and use a different one for your other personal accounts.

    CLICK HERE to learn more about setting a secure password.

  • Watch Out for Phishing Emails and Scams

    Don’t click links or download attachments from sketchy or unexpected emails.

    If you get an email saying 'Your VU Netflix account is suspended—click here,' but it’s sent to your Vanderbilt email, it’s highly likely an attempt to obtain your information.

    CLICK HERE to learn more about how to protect yourself from phishing.

    CLICK HERE to learn about how to protect yourself from scams.

    CLICK HERE to learn how to write a non-Phishy email

  • Access Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

    MFA adds an extra layer of protection, making it much harder for hackers to access your data even if a password is stolen.

    When logging into some applications, you will be asked to participate in MFA, which requires approval of a push notification on your phone—that’s a good thing.

    CLICK HERE to learn more about Vanderbilt's MFA solution, Okta Verify.

    CLICK HERE to watch our Okta Verify enrollment video for students. 

  • Avoid Public Wi-Fi Without a VPN

    Free public Wi-Fi can be dangerous, cybercriminals may intercept your data. Always use a trusted VPN when connecting.

    If you need to log in to sensitive accounts, like online banking at a coffee shop, turn on your VPN first to help keep your information secure.

    CLICK HERE to learn more about how to connect to Vanderbilt's VPN, GlobalProtect.

  • Be Careful What You Share Online

    Don’t post personal info (like your address, schedule, or VUnetID) publicly and never upload your VUnetID to 3rd party sites.

    Posting 'Alone in my dorm, Room 305, bored—come hang out!' on Instagram could invite negative attention.

    Sharing too much on social media can put you at risk. 

    • Don't reveal personal information.
    • Avoid online polls and quizzes. 
    • Change your profile privacy settings to only allow your contacts or friends to see your updates.

    CLICK HERE to learn more about the resources available to you to ensure your safety and security at Vanderbilt.

    If you need to report an imminent threat to or a life-endangering situation involving a student, please call the Vanderbilt University Police Department at (615) 421-1911 or 911 before completing one of the reporting forms. The reporting forms are not intended to serve as an emergency response notification process.

    For more information about reporting forms, please refer to the Vanderbilt Student Handbook.

  • Use Caution With Downloads

    Don’t download apps or files from random websites. Stick to official stores or trusted sources.

    Need Microsoft Word? Download it from Vanderbilt’s Software Store —not from a sketchy free site.

    CLICK HERE to visit Vanderbilt's Software Store.

  • Lock Your Devices

    Always lock your laptop, phone, or tablet when you’re not using it.

    If you walk away from your laptop in the library, hit Windows + L (or close the lid) so no one can snoop. If you're using a Mac, hit ^ + ⌘ + Q!

    Report stolen devices. If a Vanderbilt device is stolen, report it to VUIT immediately. Some measures can be taken to protect your data in the event of such an incident. For personal devices, consult the manufacturer to determine the necessary steps. Reports can be made to VUIT by calling 615-343-9999 or opening a ticket at https://it.vanderbilt.edu/.

  • Keep Software Updated

    Update your apps, phone, and laptop when prompted —updates fix security holes.

    That 'Update available—restart required' pop-up on your Mac might feel annoying, but it’s protecting you from hackers.

    If you have a VUIT-provided device (desktop, laptop, tablet) and you have questions regarding software updates, please contact VUIT.

    CLICK HERE to learn more about VUIT's Software and Computing Services.

  • Back Up Your Files

    Save important files somewhere safe in case your computer crashes.

    Upload essays to Box or OneDrive so if your laptop dies before finals, you don’t lose everything.

    CLICK HERE to learn more about cloud-based data protection solutions. 

  • Think Before Clicking

    You are a target. You have information that an attacker wants. Protect yourself.

    'Free iPhone for the first 100 students to sign up here!'—that’s almost always a scam link.

    CLICK HERE to learn more about how you can employ simple practices to keep yourself, your data and your academic freedom protected.