Cybersecurity
If something feels suspicious, report it. It's better for the University's cybersecurity staff to investigate a false alarm than miss a real attack.
⚠️ If you think your Columbia account or computer has been compromised:
- Disconnect your device from the internet (including Wi-Fi, wired networks, and roaming data).
- Do not interact with suspicious messages or ransom demands.
- Contact CUIT or CUIMC Information Technology immediately.
- Leave the device powered on unless instructed otherwise.Change your UNI password from a different trusted device.
🪧 Signs Your Account or Device May Be Compromised
- You approved an Multi-Factor Authentication request you did not initiate.
- Your account sent emails you did not write.
- Files suddenly become inaccessible or renamed.
- Your computer displays a ransom message.
- You clicked a suspicious link and entered your UNI credentials.
- Colleagues report receiving unusual messages from you.
🚫 Ransomware Attack
- Report the incident immediately to Public Safety
- Do not pay ransom
- Do not communicate with attackers
Cybersecurity Tips
Be aware of common scams targeting university students, faculty, and staff:
- Financial aid scams
- Payroll diversion scams
- Gift card fraud
- Research data theft
- Fake Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace login pages
- Scholarship, part-time job, and internship scams
- Do not click unknown links or attachments.
- Verify unexpected requests for money or credentials.
- Look for unusual sender addresses.
- Report suspicious emails or texts to CUIT.
- Use strong, unique passwords.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Never approve MFA requests you did not initiate.
- Never share your login credentials.
- Log out of shared devices.
- Keep software and apps updated.
- Only install apps from trusted app stores.
- Use secure Wi-Fi connections.
- Lock your device when unattended.
- Change your UNI password.
- Revoke active sessions if available.
- Monitor your accounts for unusual activity.
- If lost, report the loss immediately to CUIT or CUIMC IT.
- If stolen, report the theft to Public Safety.
