11:34 a.m., Oct. 2, 2007--The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Computer and Network Security Task Force have teamed with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to declare October National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. National Cyber Security Awareness Month is a national campaign to raise awareness of and increase computer security at colleges and universities.

“This is a time when we promote cyber security to our campus constituencies,” Susan Foster, vice president for Information Technologies (IT) at UD, said. She added that IT staff have embarked on a campaign to encourage all members of the University community to examine their computing practices and to make sure that they have protected themselves, their computers and their information.

Karl Hassler, associate director of IT-Network and Systems Services, said that this month the IT Help Center has planned ways to reach out to students with the cyber security message.

Leveraging the recognition of UD's Code of the Web responsible computing campaign, Sheriff YouDee will be hosting a Facebook page at [http://delaware.facebook.com/profile.php?id=661882840] where students can peruse cyber security materials, participate in “Ask the Sheriff” cyber security discussion topics and link to the Cyber Security Daily Question of the Day Sweepstakes at [www.udel.edu/ncsam].

“We wanted to create fun, engaging ways for students to stay plugged into National Cybersecurity Awareness Month," Hassler said. "By correctly answering daily cyber security questions, students increase their chances of winning our weekly and grand prize drawings.”

Hassler noted, “We've found that most students understand their cyber general security responsibilities; we've worked hard to tell them, 'You are responsible for what goes over your Internet connection.' But," he adds, “students often don't know exactly what steps to take to fulfill those responsibilities.”

An increasing proportion of students' computers are cited for copyright infringement, Hassler said, “but students don't know their peer-to-peer software is sharing their music collection or that their wireless router is wide open for anyone to use--with the infringing activity traced back to them. The best advice is to delete your peer-to-peer software before coming to campus, and make sure your wireless router is secure,” Hassler said.

“The security of your computer and the information you store on it is critical at all times,” Foster added. “But during October, we urge everyone at the University of Delaware to double- and triple-check their computers and computing practices.”

For more information, visit:

IT-Help Center's National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Web page [www.udel.edu/ncsam]

Sheriff YouDee's Facebook page
[http://delaware.facebook.com/profile.php?id=661882840]

UD's Cybersecurity Awareness Videos
[www.udel.edu/ncam]

UD's Computer Security News and Alerts: [www.udel.edu/security/secnews.html]

Computer Security at UD
[www.udel.edu/security]

UD's IT-Help Center
[www.udel.edu/help]

National Cyber Security Alliance
[www.staysafeonline.org]