 Cybersecurity

Learn what to do if you clicked a phishing link, entered your credentials on a suspicious page, or sent money or personal information in response to a scam — including immediate steps to secure your account, protect your finances, and report the incident.

If you believe someone has unauthorized access to your NCU account, every minute counts. Learn the immediate steps to stop the damage, secure your account, and report the incident to IT.

Learn how NCU computers are protected from viruses with Microsoft Defender, and what to use on your own computer.

A well-intended message may not get read or taken seriously if recipients think an email is a phishing scam.

Learn why backing up your data matters, where NCU recommends storing your files, and how to make sure your work is protected against hardware failure, accidental deletion, ransomware, and device loss.

A short checklist of everyday habits that keep your NCU account, your office, and university data safe.

Learn how to spot and close fake virus warnings and tech support pop-ups in your web browser, and what to do if you called the number or let someone in.

Learn the three NCU data levels (Restricted, Confidential, Public), where each kind of data can be stored, and the everyday rules for protecting university information.

This article outlines the university's 14-character password requirements and provides a guide on using passphrases to create highly secure, memorable credentials.

Learn how to password-protect an Office file or PDF, and why sharing a OneDrive link with specific people is usually safer than emailing a protected file.

Learn what malware and ransomware are, how to recognize the warning signs on your device, how to avoid infections in the first place, and what to do if your computer is infected or your files are locked for ransom.

Did a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file ask you to Enable Content or enable macros? Learn what macros are, why they can be dangerous, and how to check a file before you enable anything.

Learn how to protect yourself from job scams targeting NCU students — including how to spot fake offers before they become a financial trap, the two-phase pattern most scams follow, and what information you should never share with an unverified employer.

Learn how to recognize phishing attacks targeting NCU students, faculty, and staff — including how AI has changed the threat landscape, the most common scam types at NCU, and what to do if you receive or fall for a suspicious message.

Learn how to report a suspicious email or phishing attempt to the NCU IT security team — including using the built-in Report Phishing button in Outlook and Gmail, forwarding as an attachment when needed, and what to do on mobile.

Physical security is one of the most overlooked — and most effective — layers of IT security. Learn how to protect your workspace, devices, and university data from threats that don't require a single line of code.

Learn how scammers fake caller ID, including NCU numbers, and what to do when you get a suspicious call or text.

Learn the signs of malware and ransomware, what to do right away if you suspect it, and how to protect your devices at North Central University.

Learn out to remove hidden metadata from your files helps prevent the accidental sharing of sensitive info like your username, your physical location, or the history of changes made to a document.

Tips for downloading software and files safely, spotting fake download buttons, and what to do if you opened something suspicious.

A checklist for keeping your phone or tablet secure, since it's how you sign in to your NCU account with Microsoft Authenticator.

Your phone or tablet likely has access to your NCU email, files, and accounts — making it just as important to secure as a laptop. Learn the essential steps to protect your mobile device and the university data on it.

Your NCU-issued computer is a gateway to university systems, student data, and sensitive institutional information. Learn the essential habits and settings that keep it — and everything on it — secure.

Learn what counts as an IT security incident at NCU, what to do if a device is involved, and how to report an incident, including what to include and what happens next.

Learn how to stay secure when connecting to wireless networks — including what makes a network unsafe, how to protect yourself on public Wi-Fi, and when to use NCU's VPN.

A checklist for NCU employees working from home: securing your home Wi-Fi, keeping NCU work on NCU devices, and protecting information at home.