Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:
We hope that everyone is having a strong start to the spring semester. This month we are going to highlight the following:
- Preparing Your Residence for Spring Break
- Be Alert for Phishing Scams
- Monthly Bias Update
Preparing Your Residence for Spring Break
Spring Break is right around the corner, and we want to remind those who will be leaving campus to make sure you are properly preparing your residence before you leave. To enhance your safety and protect your personal space and belongings, we recommend taking the following steps.
On campus:
- Secure doors and windows.
- Close all curtains/blinds.
- Make sure to lock your room door; if you have a roommate, make sure they are locking the room as well.
- Do not give your keys out.
- Mark/engrave all items of value and keep a record, including serial numbers.
- Do not leave credit cards, blank checks or other valuables readily accessible; these can be taken and used by a thief before you know they are gone.
For those who live off campus:
- Make your house look occupied; buy a timer that automatically turns on interior and exterior lights at a predetermined time, or when there is motion.
- Be sure your outdoor lighting is working and sufficient.
- Lock sliding glass doors and place a wooden dowel or metal bar in the track of the door.
- Take anything valuable with you (i.e., laptop computer, video game console).
- Do not leave any valuable items near windows.
- Take pictures of anything valuable and ensure that you have installed tracking software and documented the serial numbers of all electronic devices.
- Unplug all electrical items, except your refrigerator and timers.
- If you have a security alarm, make sure you turn it on when leaving.
As a reminder, if you see anything suspicious, for on campus, please call DPS at 315.443.2224 or use the Rave Guardian app, or, for off campus, call the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5111.
Be Alert for Phishing Scams
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is warning U.S. organizations to beware of a possible rise in state-sponsored cyberattacks.
Our information security colleagues within Information Technology Services (ITS) have not detected any marked increase in activity over the past week but continue to monitor for and prevent attacks. One of the most effective paths for an attacker to gain a foothold on the Syracuse University network is through phishing emails and other social engineering techniques.
Please take moment to review an alert the ITS team recently shared with the community.
Monthly Bias Update
Feb. 4: Reports of racist, threatening language directed toward the Asian community on the social media site, Discord, which markets itself as a virtual meeting and gathering space.
Update: The individual believed to be responsible for the social media posts has been identified. The case has been referred to the Office of Community Standards.
As a reminder, it is also never too late to come forward with information. You can call DPS at 315.443.2224 or submit information anonymously via the Silent Witness tool or the Rave Guardian mobile app. In addition, to report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the Stop Bias website.
Sincerely,
The Department of Public Safety