Stay Safe Online: Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a global effort to help everyone stay safe and protected when using technology whenever and however you connect. This year’s theme is all about simple ways to protect yourself, your family, and your business in the online environment. There are many ways to Stay Safe Online, but practicing the Core4 cybersecurity basics can make a huge difference:
- Recognize and report phishing
- Use strong passwords and a password manager
- Enable Multifactor Authentication
- Update your software and devices regularly
Throughout the month of October, the Information Security Office (ISO) will be hosting both in-person and online events at Texas State University to engage, entertain, and encourage better digital security. Full schedule below.
2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Month Events
Don't Get Hooked: Spotting Scams at Texas State
Date: Wednesday, October 1st
Time: 2 PM – 3 PM CST
Location: Alkek Library, Room 240 Open Theatre
Join us for an informative session on how to identify phishing attempts and safeguard against ransomware and malware attacks.
What You'll Learn:
- Recognizing common signs of phishing emails
- Best practices for reporting suspicious messages
- Tips to protect your personal and organizational data
Who Should Attend: Anyone interested in honing their cyber-sleuth skills—students, faculty, and staff are all welcome!
Stay safe. Stay informed.
[No live broadcast]
Have YOU Been Pwned? Password Strength Check
Date: Wednesday, October 8th
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM CST
Location: The Quad near Derrick Hall
Find us in the Quad and test the strength of your password against an ISO Analyst and the online tool Have I Been Pwned.
What You’ll Do:
- Securely check the confidentiality of your password
- Discover if your password is safe from data stealers
Who Should Attend: Faculty, staff, and students are invited to see the ISO in the quad and learn if their online information is safe or at risk.
Build the best shield for your digital presence!
Password Power: Protecting your Bobcat Identity
Date: Wednesday, October 8th
Time: 2 PM – 3 PM CST
Location: Alkek Library, Alkek - 240 Open Theatre
Why Attend?
- Identify the building blocks of a strong, hack-resistant password
- Learn why it’s important to create unique passwords for every individual account
- Discover the benefits of using a university approved password manager
Who Should Attend: Anyone can have their password cracked. Learn how to defend yourself, whether you are faculty, staff, or a student.
Give yourself the best chance at protecting your online presence!
[No live broadcast]
MFA: Your Second Line of Defense
Date: Wednesday, October 15th
Time: 2 PM – 3 PM CST
Location: Alkek Library, Alkek - 240 Open Theatre
Learn why DUO and other tools are critical at Texas State and beyond.
What You'll Gain:
- Learn why Texas State made DUO a requirement for the university community
- Discover the reasons why MFA usage is so effective
Who Should Attend: This talk is perfect for all Bobcats who use DUO and other forms of multifactor authentication. MFA is available on multiple programs, and we hope this talk influences you to use this tool elsewhere.
Discover the power of MFA!
[No live broadcast]
Virtual Event: Capture the Flag
Date: Thursday, October 16th
Time: 1 PM – 3 PM CST
Location: J.C. Kellam Building - 11th Floor Conference Room
This event is designed to challenge your problem-solving abilities and expand your cybersecurity knowledge in a fun, competitive environment.
What to Expect:
- A variety of challenges across multiple difficulty levels
- Constant scoreboard and team ranking updates
- Prizes for first, second, and third placing teams and/or individuals.
Who it's For: Priority will be given to students studying cybersecurity, computer science, and engineering. Other cybersecurity hobbyists will be admitted on a space-available basis. 30 team spots will be available.
Device Check Station
Date: Monday, October 20th and Wednesday, October 22nd
Time: Monday, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM and Wednesday, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Monday, ITAC Service Desk and Wednesday, the Quad near Derrick Hall
Let an ISO Analyst help ensure your favorite devices are up-to-date and protected against the latest threats.
What You’ll Do:
- Learn how to check your devices for important security updates
- Ensure your software is compatible with patches and updates
Who Should Attend: Faculty, staff, and students all use electronic devices of varying ages from multiple manufacturers. No matter your operating system, ensuring you are up to date is an easy way to Stay Safe Online.
Keep your phones, computers, and other favorite devices safe from malware!
Patch It Up: Why Updates Matter
Date: Wednesday, October 22nd
Time: 2 PM – 3 PM CST
Location: Alkek Library, Alkek - 240 Open Theatre
Find out why software updates are more than just a reason to restart your device.
What’s in it for You?
- Learn how updates protect software and devices from known and unknown vulnerabilities.
- Discover the different types of performance improvements patches bring to your devices.
Who Should Attend: No matter what generation your phone or computer, patches and updates make students’, faculty and staff members’ favorite devices safer to use.
Learn how to keep your devices functional and healthy!
[No live broadcast]
The Core 4: Simple Ways to Stay Safe Online
Date: Thursday, October 23rd
Time: 2 PM – 3 PM CST
Location: Avery Building, Room 256
Wrap up Cybersecurity Awareness Month at Texas State with a recap of the Core 4.
What We Will Discuss:
- The four simple tasks that the National Cybersecurity Alliance has identified as the Core 4 ways to Stay Safe Online
- Why each of the Core 4 are crucial to the safety of your online presence
Who Should Attend: These tasks can and should be done by everyone, whether you are a student, faculty, or staff member at Texas State. The Information Security Office will review these best practices with you and set the university up for successful and safe internet habits.
Revisit these simple and effective ways to Stay Safe Online with us before time runs out!
[No live broadcast]