IT services

IT and cybersecurity

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With universities moving to remote teaching and working, there is now an increased risk that each of us may become subject to cyber-attacks. 

I am writing to you because there are some simple but important actions that you need to take now to keep your personal data, and University systems, safe and secure. 

These are:

  1. Beware of email/phishing scams. DO NOT click on any messages or links from unknown or unexpected sources and take our 15 minute email phishing course. Report suspicious emails to phishing@manchester.ac.uk
     
  2. Install anti-virus software on all your computers. University managed desktop and laptop computers come with McAfee Endpoint security already installed. However, anyone using a device other than a University managed computer should install an anti-virus application immediately.
    1. Sophos Home (Free version) for Windows and Mac 
    2. Sophos Antivirus for Linux 
    3. Sophos Security and Antivirus Guard for Android 
  3. Keep your software up to date.
  4. Secure your computer by setting a password that needs to be entered every time you log-in to your device. Strong passwords are a non-obvious combination of least 10 letters, numbers and symbols. Further guidance on setting a strong password is available on the IT services website.

If you think you have a virus on your computer, please unplug your network connection and call the IT Support Centre as soon as possible on +44 (0)161 306 5544.

All of our IT information, including around cybersecurity is on the IT website.

Thank you for your assistance.

Malcolm Whitehouse

Chief Information Officer

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