UMass Boston

Security

Pixel-art astronaut on the moon holding a glowing screen with a padlock and fingerprint, surrounded by colorful arcade-style aliens to represent cybersecurity and identity protection.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

This year's theme, Login: To Identity and Beyond is our chance to sharpen our cybersecurity skills, learn ways to avoid security threats and have some fun while we’re at it.

View our Event Schedule

Information Security Office

The Information Security Office (ISO) runs various projects and operates numerous tools and services to safeguard UMass Boston’s personal and institutional data, all in pursuit of our goal of preventing the loss or theft of our information assets. We utilize every resource available in our commitment to maintaining an impenetrable system of information security at UMass Boston.

Information Security Case Study & Newsletters:

How You Can Help

Technology, especially information technology, is essential to the purpose and mission of higher education at UMass Boston, and the university needs to know its data and informational infrastructure is safe. To that end, in addition to the work we do behind the scenes, ISO Staff offer many services and features that students, faculty and staff can access right from this page. Taking advantage of some of these options is a great way to participate in our university’s information security efforts, and keep yourself safe.

One of the most basic things the ISO must do is prevent against computer viruses. Visit the Antivirus page to learn about antivirus resources available as well as tips for prevention and protection. Secure IT is the IT security education program that helps the UMass Boston community stay informed and up to date on security issues. Secure IT courses keep everyone here at the top of the class in information security!

We also utilize many tools to prevent against phishing attacks, including The "EXTERNAL SENDER" Label Extended Validation SSL Certificates. Learn more about protecting yourself from phishing on Phishing - Don't Get Scammed!

Staff can see how Data Encryption can help when working with Personally Identifiable Information (PII). A more recent security function that ISO has also implemented is Multi-Factor Authentication, which is an added layer of safety if one of your Passwords has been hacked or figured out.

Education and awareness are crucial to information security, both at the institutional level and for individual users. Everyone should be familiar with Network Server Security Requirements and Procedures, and users can protect personal information and their computers by reviewing Security Guidelines, Social Media Security, and Windows Security Updates. It also never hurts to scan your computer every so often and catch up on tips to keep your computing experience safe by clicking  Scan Your Computer/Safe Computing Tips. Finally, see Web Browser Settings to learn how to clear out your browser history and cache from both Windows and Mac computers, and Junk MailHelp to see how to keep your inbox free of spam and other unwanted emails.

As much as we in the Information Security Office wish it were possible, we can’t do cybersecurity all by ourselves. It must be a campus-wide effort, participated in by the entire UMass Boston community. The good news is that the community HAS always participated and made valuable contributions to our ongoing cybersecurity efforts. The Beacons always come through and the ISO is grateful for all that you do. Thank you!  

 

 

Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026 is Here!

Astronaut using a laptop on the moon with Earth in the background. Text reads, “Login: To Identity and Beyond… .

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month — our chance to sharpen our cybersecurity skills, learn ways to avoid security threats and have some fun while we’re at it!

Follow us @umassbostonitservices to catch our latest posts and updates!

Pop-up Tables

Our Information Security Office (ISO) experts will staff Pop-up Tables throughout October to talk with you about cyberthreats and how you can protect yourself. Stop by our table for candy, swag, and practical tips! Find us on the Campus Center’s first floor, outside the Atrium Café, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the following dates.

📋 Tuesday, October 6 from 11:30-1:00 p.m.
Campus Center 1st floor

📋 Wednesday, October 7 from 11:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Campus Center 1st floor

📋 Thursday, October 15 from 11:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Campus Center 1st floor

📋 Wednesday, October 21 from 11:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Campus Center 1st floor

📋 Monday, October 26 from 11:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Campus Center 1st floor

📋 Thursday, October 29 from 11:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Campus Center 1st floor

Help Keep Our Campus Safe—Anatomy of a Phish

Want to see a cautionary example of a phishing scam a student on campus encountered?

Read our article Anatomy of a Phishing Attack – October 2026 to learn how these attacks can play out and what to watch for.

Your vigilance is key! If you spot something suspicious, ask us! We're here to help. By forwarding suspicious emails or reporting questionable communications to abuse@umb.edu, you can help us keep everyone safe.