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Spring break 2014 – Secure travel computing

 

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Carolina provides outstanding information technology resources that you may choose to access remotely if you travel over spring break. If you use University computing resources while travelling, please remember that connecting over the Internet can carry some risks. Below are some things to think about that may reduce those risks.

Connecting to Carolina Resources

Secure & Private Connections to Carolina while Traveling

With wireless networking and public or commercial wireless (“Wi-Fi”) network services in most airports and hotels, connecting to Carolina has never been easier. However, public wireless networks have become major targets for identity thieves and other cybercriminals.

Before you travel, check to be sure your laptop or other mobile device is set up for secure connections to Carolina via the Virtual Private Network (VPN). The VPN protects the communications between your mobile device and the University by encrypting communications.

A few basic precautions can reduce the likelihood that you will become a target for cybercriminals while you travel:

  1. Enable any available “firewall” on your laptop or mobile device. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the ITS Help Desk or your local technical support.
  2. Implement encryption that may be available for your laptop or mobile device. If your mobile computer works with sensitive, University-owned information (e.g., SSNs), University policy requires that it must be encrypted to protect that information. More information regarding laptop encryption is available here. If your computing device or portable media is lost or stolen, you should report the theft to campus police. Prior to traveling, consider whether your mobile device stores sensitive information. If so and sensitive information is not necessary for your trip, consider removing the information from the mobile device.
  3. Require a password to login to your devices. If you suspect your password may have been in danger, change it from a trusted computer by visiting onyen.unc.edu.
  4. Unpatched systems provide opportunities for malicious parties to attack your mobile devices. Install the patches offered by the manufacturer of your device and keep in mind that Third Party (e.g., Adobe, Java, etc.) software should also be updated. You may want to consider running a weekly scan provided by Qualys to check your browser security. 

Traveling Outside the United States 

The Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive has assembled a counterintelligence awareness booklet that contains valuable information for those traveling abroad. Contact Carolina’s Study Abroad Office for valuable travel tips or by phone at (919)962-7002.

Information Technology Services — Contact Information

Everyone at Carolina is welcome to contact the ITS Help Desk:

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