Protect Your College Account

 

Protect Your College 

Account Keeping your College of Marin account secure helps protect your personal information, College systems, and the broader campus community. 

A few simple security practices can make a significant difference.

 

Use Strong, Unique Passwords 

Choose a strong password or passphrase that is difficult for others to guess. 

  • Use a unique password for your College account. 
  • Avoid reusing passwords from personal accounts. 
  • Never share your password with anyone. 
  • Consider using a reputable password manager. 

 

Use Multifactor Authentication (MFA) 

Multifactor authentication adds another layer of protection by requiring additional verification when signing in. 

  • Complete MFA prompts only when you are actively signing in. 
  • Never approve an unexpected authentication request. 
  • Report suspicious or repeated MFA prompts to IT. 

 

Recognize Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing 

Cybercriminals use different methods to trick people into sharing passwords, financial information, or other sensitive data. 

Phishing: Fraudulent emails that appear to come from trusted organizations or individuals. 

Smishing: Fraudulent text messages that attempt to trick you into clicking links or sharing information. 

Vishing: Fraudulent phone calls or voice messages, sometimes using AI-generated voices, designed to impersonate trusted people or organizations. 

 

Be cautious of unexpected messages asking you to act urgently, provide account credentials, or open unfamiliar links. 

 

Think Before You Click 

Before opening a link or attachment: 

  1. Check the sender's email address carefully. 
  2. Be suspicious of urgent requests involving passwords, payments, or account verification. 
  3. Navigate directly to familiar websites instead of following unexpected links. 
  4. When in doubt, verify the request through a trusted communication channel. 

 

Report Suspicious Activity 

If you receive a suspicious message or believe your account may have been compromised, contact College of Marin IT Support promptly. 

Visit IT Support for assistance. 

Remember: College account security is a shared responsibility. Taking a moment to verify an unexpected request can help prevent a security incident.