Newswise — Tips for a safe and secure school year
On Campus Security1. If you are working in an isolated area, lock doors whenever possible and don’t let anyone in that you don’t know. Do not leave doors propped open.
2. Learn your campus’ emergency number and familiarize yourself with the emergency phones in your buildings and along your outdoor routes. If you think that you are being followed on campus, go to the nearest telephone and call Security.
3. Don’t take shortcuts through isolated areas. Keep to well-travelled routes, and well-lit areas. Walk near the curb and away from buildings, doorways, and bushes.
4. Do not overburden yourself with packages, a bulky purse, or a knapsack.
5. Use caution in conversations with strangers. Avoid giving your name, address, class schedule, or email address.
6. Be alert in washrooms, especially in isolated areas. Check for strangers while you are still near the door.
7. Whenever possible, ask a friend to accompany you. If you must go out alone, most campuses operate a Walk Safe program - use it!
8. If you plan to drink, make plans ahead of time for getting home. Do not leave with people you do not feel comfortable with.
9. Don’t carry large sums of cash.
10. Let somebody know where you are going and check in with them when you reach your destination.
11. Do not hitchhike or accept a ride from a stranger.
12. If you feel uncomfortable about who is on an elevator, don’t get in. Wait until the next elevator arrives.
13. If you do encounter difficulties with somebody on an elevator, push as many floor buttons as you can, or push the emergency switch which will set off an alarm bell outside the elevator, engaging the voice communications with Security.
14. Most campuses offer self-defense courses to teach you strategies and manoeuvres to stay safe. Simply taking one may give you more self-confidence and a greater sense of security.
Online Financial Security1. Verify your bank’s website offline, through a brochure, or by talking to customer service.
2. Have a banking password that is different from all your other passwords. It is easier for criminals when you just have one password.
3. Never reply to an email that appears to be from your bank and asks for your username and/or password - this is “phishing”, an attempt to deceive you and get your information.
4. Never click on a link in an email that appears to be from your bank - this is another form of “phishing”.
5. Never access your online banking from a public computer such as a computer lab or library computer. Your information remains available to anyone that uses the computer after you.
6. If your browser supports it (and most new browsers do), launch a “private” browsing session when you bank, so that no personal information will be kept on your computer.
Credit Card Security1. When approached to sign up for a credit card at an on campus kiosk, verify that the kiosk is legitimate and authorized to operate by your university, college or student union. Call your student union to find out.
2. Kiosks are unsecure locations - get information and applications forms at the kiosk, then send them in securely.
3. Do not provide more personal information than necessary - financial institutions are not entitled to ask for your Social Insurance Number - don’t provide it.
Expert available for interviews:Dr. Wendy Cukier, MA, MBA, PhD, DU (HC), LLD (HC), MSCAssociate Dean, Ted Rogers School of ManagementPrivacy and Cyber Crime Institute
* Comment only on financial and credit card security topics
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