But, we know that cyber security education can seem daunting and sometimes dull especially when you have the summer on the horizon and you have just completed exams. That's why we'll keep this short and sweet. Take a look at our six summer safe IT tips below to help keep your accounts and data safe and secure this summer.

1. Phishing

Be vigilant to the possibility of phishing when reading emails. Treat any email that asks for your username and password details with extreme caution and be mindful of emails which contain hyperlinks to rogue websites or attachments as these could contain malware such as ransomware. Remember, always check with the sender before opening attachments or clicking on links in emails you were not expecting.

2. Passwords

Don't reveal your passwords to anyone else. Your Trinity computer account and network login password act as your identity on the Trinity network and restrict access to your College email and other Trinity services available to you. Guard your passwords and always change them if you suspect that they have become known to others.

3. Two-step sign-in

Setting up two-step sign-in for your online accounts including email and social media is the most important step you can take you keep your accounts safe. Common services such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Whatsapp all have the option to set up two-step sign-in.

Essential information to remember if changing phone number or handset

If you plan to change your phone number or phone handset you need to take action to ensure that you do not inadvertently prevent yourself from accessing your Trinity accounts. This may happen because you are unable to access the security code on your phone to complete the sign-in process.

This may occur if you purchase a new phone or change phone number. This may also be an issue if you have an additional phone that you use when in another country on vacation or when returning home if you are an international student or staff member.

What do I need to do?

All staff and students need to remember to register any new or alternative phone numbers or to install the authenticator app on your new or alternative handset before you lose access to your previously registered phone or phone number.

To add an additional phone number, follow the below steps:

  1. Log into http://office.tcd.ie
  2. Click on your profile icon at the top right. Then choose View account.
  3. From the left menu, choose Security info. Then click the + Add sign-in method button.
  4. Select Alternative phone from the dropdown and choose Add.
  5. You will then see a screen where you can enter your new number.
  6. Select your country code and enter your mobile number.
  7. Choose Call me and click on Next.
  8. You will receive a call from Microsoft. Answer the phone and follow the prompts.
  9. Once the code is verified, you will see a message to say the phone was registered successfully. Click Done to complete the setup.

4. Back up your data

Backup your files and devices regularly. This will help you recover the latest version of any lost or damaged data. If you backup using a cloud-based app then if your device is lost or stolen you will have access from any device.

5. Updates for your devices

Stay current on software security updates for your devices. All software companies are constantly releasing patches and updates to fix security issues, as well as other flaws discovered in their products. These flaws are what virus writers and hackers exploit to gain access to your data. Make sure you stay ahead of the hackers and keep you software up-to-date.

6. Staying protected

Make sure you have anti-virus software installed on your devices and ensure they are running up-to-date virus definitions. Be sure to turn on password or PIN protection for your devices, to ensure your data is much safer if your device gets lost or stolen.