Cyber Shield | Password & Phishing Protection | GSU

πŸ” Cyber Shield

Defend yourself in the digital world

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GENO
GENO: Welcome to Cyber Shield! 81% of data breaches involve weak passwords. Let's make sure you're not an easy target.
πŸ”‘ Passwords
🎣 Phishing
🦠 Malware
🌐 Browsing
πŸ“ Quiz
πŸ”‘
Password Security
Your first line of defense
81%
of data breaches involve weak, reused, or stolen passwords
πŸ’ͺ What Makes a Strong Password?
β€’ At least 12+ characters (longer = stronger)
β€’ Mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols
β€’ NOT based on personal info (birthday, pet name, address)
β€’ NOT a dictionary word or common phrase
β€’ UNIQUE for every account
WEAK
password123
Dictionary word + predictable numbers
WEAK
John1985!
Name + birth year - easily guessable
MEDIUM
Tr0ub4dor&3
Substitutions are predictable to hackers
STRONG
correct-horse-battery-staple
Passphrase: 4+ random words, easy to remember
STRONG
kT9#mP2$vL8@nQ4!
Random characters - use password manager
🚨 Never Reuse Passwords!
If hackers breach one site, they try your password on every other site (banks, email, social media). One breach becomes total compromise.
πŸ—„οΈ Password Managers
Use a password manager (Bitwarden, 1Password, LastPass) to:
β€’ Generate unique random passwords
β€’ Store them securely
β€’ Auto-fill on websites

You only need to remember ONE master password. Make it a strong passphrase!
🎣
Phishing Attacks
Don't take the bait
3.4 Billion
phishing emails sent EVERY DAY worldwide
🎣 What is Phishing?
Fake emails, texts, or websites designed to trick you into revealing passwords, credit cards, or personal info. They impersonate trusted companies (banks, Amazon, Netflix, IRS).
From: security@amaz0n-support.com
⚠️ URGENT: Your account has been locked!
Dear Valued Customer,

We detected unusual activity on your account. Your account has been temporarily locked for your protection.

Click here to verify your identity: http://amaz0n-verify.com/secure

If you don't verify within 24 hours, your account will be permanently deleted.

Amazon Security Team
🚩 Sender email is "amaz0n" (zero instead of 'o')
🚩 Creates urgency: "24 hours or deleted"
🚩 Link goes to fake domain, not amazon.com
🚩 Generic greeting "Dear Valued Customer"
πŸ” How to Spot Phishing
πŸ“§
Check sender address carefully - Look for misspellings, extra characters
⏰
Beware of urgency - "Act now!" "Account suspended!" "Limited time!"
πŸ”—
Hover over links - See where they really go before clicking
πŸ“
Look for errors - Grammar mistakes, odd formatting
🎁
Too good to be true? - It is. No one's giving you $1M.
βœ… When in Doubt...
Never click links in suspicious emails. Instead:
β€’ Go directly to the company's website by typing the URL
β€’ Call the company using their official number
β€’ Forward suspicious emails to the company's fraud department
🦠
Malware Protection
Keep the bad stuff out
🦠 Types of Malware
Virus: Spreads by attaching to files
Ransomware: Locks your files, demands payment
Spyware: Secretly monitors your activity
Trojan: Disguised as legitimate software
Keylogger: Records everything you type
🚨 How Malware Gets In
β€’ Email attachments (especially .exe, .zip, .doc with macros)
β€’ Downloading pirated software/movies
β€’ Clicking malicious ads or pop-ups
β€’ Infected USB drives
β€’ Fake software updates ("Your Flash Player is outdated!")
β€’ Compromised websites
πŸ›‘οΈ Malware Prevention
πŸ”„
Keep everything updated - OS, browsers, apps. Updates patch security holes.
πŸ›‘οΈ
Use antivirus software - Windows Defender is good. Keep it on and updated.
πŸ“₯
Download only from official sources - App stores, official websites
πŸ“Ž
Don't open unexpected attachments - Even from people you know (they may be hacked)
πŸ’Ύ
Backup your data - If ransomware hits, you won't lose everything
⚠️ "Your computer is infected!" Pop-ups
These are SCAMS. Real antivirus doesn't pop up in your browser. Never call numbers shown in pop-ups. Never download "cleaners" from pop-ups. Close the browser tab (or force-quit if needed).
🌐
Safe Browsing
Navigate the web securely
πŸ”’ Look for HTTPS
Always check for https:// and the padlock icon before entering sensitive info. HTTP (no 's') means data is NOT encrypted.

⚠️ HTTPS doesn't mean the site is trustworthyβ€”just that the connection is encrypted. A scam site can have HTTPS!
🌐 Safe Browsing Habits
πŸ”
Verify URLs carefully - paypa1.com is not paypal.com
πŸͺ
Be cautious with cookies - Reject unnecessary tracking cookies
πŸ“‘
Avoid public WiFi for sensitive tasks - Don't bank on coffee shop WiFi
πŸ”
Use VPN on public networks - Encrypts your connection
🚫
Use ad blocker - Blocks malicious ads (malvertising)
πŸ‘€
Log out of sensitive accounts - Especially on shared computers
πŸ“‘ Public WiFi Dangers
Hackers can intercept data on public WiFi ("man-in-the-middle" attacks). On public networks:
β€’ Don't log into banks or enter credit cards
β€’ Don't access sensitive work systems
β€’ Use mobile data for sensitive tasks instead
β€’ Use a VPN if you must use public WiFi
πŸ”‘ Enable 2FA Everywhere
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds a second verification stepβ€”even if hackers get your password, they can't get in without your phone.

Enable 2FA on: Email, banks, social media, any account with sensitive data.
Use an authenticator app (not SMS) when possible.
πŸ” Cyber Shield Quiz
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