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Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Have I been pwned?

October 10, 2023

Have you ever heard the term “pwned”? The term is a typo of the word “owned” – the “o” and “p” are next to each other on the keyboard. The term implies someone has been controlled or compromised. 

You may check your email address to see if you have been compromised in a data breach: https://haveibeenpwned.com/. If your email has been in a breach you will receive a message: Oh no – pwned! Don’t worry; it’s not the end of the world. 

What to do? Password Tips: 

If your email has been compromised, and you have not changed your password since the date of the breach; change your password. Keep these tips in mind, when creating a new password:  

  • Strong – long (at least 12 characters)
  • Complex – combination of upper-/lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters
  • Unique – never reuse – none of your passwords should look alike
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – enter your username and password, and prove your identity by responding to an email/text 

QR Discount for Password Manager

similar to a vault with all of your passwords in one place. You only need to remember the vault combination to open and access all of your passwords.

Dashlane is discounting their password manager, for the month of October, for all MCC students, faculty, and staff. The QR code is 50% off the first year of service (regular cost is $60/ year).

Scan the QR code with your phone and enter code: mcl50 (Lowercase “L”). You must sign up by October 31, 2023, in order for the discount to apply.  

Upcoming MCC Campus Events

Come see us! We have free giveaways and can answer any of your Cybersecurity questions! 

Tuesday, October 17th 

  • Who:  Presentation by Jean Nixon, Academic Support & Tutoring, for students, faculty, and staff
  • What:  Don’t Open the Door to Strangers:  Stay Safe on the Internet
  • When:  Tuesday, October 17th from:  12-1pm
  • Where:  LTC 318 or Zoom:  https://mclennan.zoom.us/j/2549998332 

Monday, October 30th

  • Who:  Open to students, faculty, and staff
  • What:  ISS – Cybersecurity Team Event
  • When:  Today – Monday, October 2nd from:  1130am – 130pm
  • Where:  Table outside the LTC building

Get Social

Do you have any tips or tricks? Share and tag your posts: 

  • #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth
  • #BeCyberSmart
  • #StaySafeOnline
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