Online Summer Safety Tips

As summer break rapidly approaches, it is easy to get lost in the thought of new places and fun times. While making the most of the summer, it is important to remember that you must still be vigilant in keeping yourself safe online. Here is some helpful information to consider for returning and graduating students:

Returning Students

• Symantec Antivirus software is available to students and can be downloaded through softweb after logging in with your NetID and password. Good antivirus software is imperative to have in order to keep your services secure online.
• Password Managers are a secure way to keep track of and manage multiple passwords. Good password practices dictate each account should have a unique, strong password. In order to assist with managing the separate passwords, Stony Brook offers LastPass premium for no additional cost while you are a student, and it continues to be yours after graduation. Sign up today! 
• Wireless and Bluetooth are great technologies that add convenience to how we use our devices, but they are not without drawbacks. When traveling, it is best practice to have these features disabled. Close quarters like public transit and crowded areas like hotels, sporting events, and conventions can be opportunities for hackers to use those technologies as a pathway into your device.  
• Duo Two-Step Login is currently used by Stony Brook as our service for multi-factor authentication to secure your NetID accounts. Duo provides multiple methods of authentication, including some that can be used without a network connection:
  • Duo push - Receive an “allow/deny” notification directly through the mobile app.
  • App passcode - Use the Duo app to generate a single-use passcode. This option does not require internet access.  
  • Purchased token - This is a physical keychain-size device that generates single-use passcodes. Tokens can be purchased through FSA. This option does not require internet access. 
  • Phone / Text - Receive an automated phone call or text message if you are in a pinch, but this method is not recommended and is being phased out because it is not as secure as the other options.
  • More than one device should be registered to your account so there is a backup.

Graduating Students

• Leaving Stony Brook is an information page that we encourage students currently in their final semester to review. This will have guides as to what happens to your accounts, how to back up and transfer data, and more.
• Transfer ownership of shared documents and resources. If you are a student employee or teaching assistant and are the owner of files shared with others, please consider transferring ownership before you leave the university. Any files owned and shared by you will no longer be available to those still at the university once your account is removed. Faculty and staff members can set up a shared department drive in Google for this purpose. Please discuss the transition of any files/folders/servers/websites you manage with your supervisor before leaving the university.

If you have any questions or need additional support, you can contact our department by opening a service request at service.stonybrook.edu or by calling (631)632-9800. 

Security Training and Awareness Working Group 

Stony Brook University