IT encourages cyber security

By Lawanda Turner     10/1/09 7:00pm

Phishers beware: This October marks the sixth-annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month, an initiative started by the Department of Homeland Security's National Cyber Security Division. This is the fourth year Rice has participated in this event, which includes weekly discussions led by guest speakers at the residential colleges.

According to the Department of Homeland Security's Web site, the program aims to "actively engage public and private sector partners through events and initiatives to increase overall awareness and minimize vulnerabilities." This year's theme is "2009: The Year of The Phish."

Manager of Information Technology Carlyn Chatfield said this theme reflects threats facing Internet users in recent months. She said phishing scams at Rice became especially prevalent last year.

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Information Security Officer Marc Scarborough said as the number of electronically-completed communications, projects and financial transactions increases, so does cyber crime.

"Phishing is only one type of crime that has affected an overwhelming number of students, but there are other threats out there," Scarborough said.

When describing the goal of this year's campaign, Chatfield compared Internet security to driving on a highway.

"We want to show people how to look out for dangerous drivers and keep themselves safe," Chatfield said. "We want the public to know why people ask for their personal information and how to respond to the inquiries."

Scarborough said information is the best way to promote cyber security.

"The best tool is knowledge," Scarborough said. "Rice's network is very open; therefore, we must take measures to ensure users' safety. Unlike in the corporate world, users of the Rice network are unrestricted and may be vulnerable to threats."

Martel College senior Rodrigo Flores said he appreciates IT's attempt to reach out to students.

"Even though I am computer literate, I know that some people are not and the information that they will receive is valuable," Flores said.

Some students remain skeptical about the added efforts.

"I don't think that [the speeches] would be much help," Martel freshman David Howard said. "When people fall for cyber scams that are as simple as asking for your bank account statement, then it's their fault."

Scarborough said there is a wide variety of threats to someone's online security. Popular cybercrimes include phishing attempts - for example, a fake bank message asking the recipient for personal information or requests for ransom - death threats and links in e-mails which, once clicked, download viruses to an unsuspecting user's computer.

"My job is to protect resources, so, please, don't give out your personal information online," Scarborough said.

Chatfield also warned that an e-mail from a non-Rice address claiming to be Rice personnel was a red flag.

Chatfield said another major goal of this year's events was to increase student participation and to generate awareness.

"Students are more likely to respond to images of peers," she said.

For this reason, IT is continuing to use life-size cutouts of theater students posing as cyber criminals and victims to advertise in the Thresher and on posters around campus.

"It was a big success when we did it last year, so I want to continue to include students," Chatfield said.

Students can also participate in the annual poster contest sponsored by the ResearchChannel, which promotes awareness about cyber security. Interested students may visit http://www.researchchannel.org/securityvideo2009/ for details.

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