October is National Cyber Security Month OIT and IT providers are launching an awareness campaign to provide tips and resources to help you stay safe online and protect AU resources. Learn More at:

Protecting your computer and data is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY Learn More at:

Learn More at: Identity theft is a crime used to refer to fraud that involves someone pretending to be someone else in order to steal money or get other benefits. It is the deliberate assumption of another person's identity, usually to gain access to that person's finances or to frame a person for a crime. Identity theft is the term for the criminal act of stealing personal information with the intent to use it to create similar cloned identities without the victims' knowledge. People whose identities have been stolen often spend months or years and thousands of dollars cleaning up the mess that thieves have made of their good name and credit record. Compliments The University System of Georgia – Office of Information Security

For tips on how to protect your personal and financial information visit: KeepITSafe.auburn.edu

Identity Theft Facts Over 9 million people become the victims of identity theft each year. The Better Business Bureau reports that their top consumer complaint for the past 5 years in a row has been identity theft. Once you become a victim, it takes a long time to clean up the mess. If you break it down by average income, around $16,000 is lost each year per person while dealing with the aftermath of identity theft. The majority of victims (over 85%) discover their identities have been stolen when they're denied credit while applying for credit. Only 20% of victims find the thieves use their existing credit cards to run up bills. Learn More at:

Tips to Protect Yourself Don't leave outgoing mail in an unsecured location. Deposit mail in USPS collection boxes. Don't leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends. Use anti-spyware and anti-virus software. Be wary of online shopping sites. Only shop at sites that you trust and are secure. Don't get baited by phishers. Learn More at:

Learn More at: Safeguarding Your Personal Information Shred your: bank statements, credit card Statements, pre-approved credit card offers, ATM receipts, canceled or voided checks, tax forms, bills and paystubs Immediately report lost or stolen credit cards Don’t keep your Social Security card in your wallet Never provide your Personal Information to a phone solicitor Check your bills and bank statements as soon as they arrive Don’t list your date of birth or SSN on a resume

Social Networking: tips for Safe social networking Beware of TMI: never share your SSN never share your birthday never share home address never share your phone number Customize your privacy options Limit work history details Don’t trust, just verify Control comments Avoid accidentally sharing personal details Search yourself to check privacy settings Learn how sites can use your personal information Forget the popularity contest Create a smaller social network Setup an OpenID account to single sign-on to multiple online services and applications

Social Networking: Things to be aware of Some applications expose you to virus and scams Some applications reveal your personal information without your knowledge Sexual predators do monitor these sites Cyberbullying does occur on these networks Remember TMI (too much information) can be detrimental for you