IT security at the University of Bern

Think before you click

The ability to network computers, tablets, and smartphones - whether globally via the Internet or locally within the campus of the University of Bern - provides huge collaborative benefits in the field of teaching and research. In terms of IT security, however, it gives rise to various risks. Although the IT Services Office deploys a raft of technological resources to protect the University of Bern's network against attack, it's not enough without your help. An initiative under the slogan "thinkB4Uclick" comprises diverse efforts to raise awareness among staff and students for the safe use of IT resources while at the university.

Learn from our articles how to detect phishing and protect your devices and data from misuse and loss.

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Ransomware - when your computer is encrypted

The digital extortion business is booming. Ransomware - a combination of "ransom" and "malware" (malicious software) - is flourishing. In the daily press, one reads about companies, hospitals, and organizations as being affected - but what about the private sphere? Are private individuals affected by ransomware too?

Holidays? Trips? - Don't just protect your skin, but your mobile device, too!

Your smartphone or tablet will no doubt come along on holiday with you. It's handy to take souvenir snaps and stay in contact with friends and family, but maybe also to keep an eye on your finances or make an urgent payment. For a totally relaxed holiday, use our checklist to protect your mobile device and any data stored there.

Smishing - phishing via text message on your smartphone

Smishing is a form of phishing that uses text messages via SMS, WhatsApp, or other text messaging services to ask users to click on a link or disclose information. Since text messages are more trusted than emails, the success rate of smishing is relatively high.

DoT, DoH and DNSSEC: Secure DNS communication

The Domain Name System, DNS for short, forms the basis for the Internet. To further improve the system's security, DoT and DoH were added. In this article, you will learn about what DoT and DoH are, the benefits they might bring, and what you have to consider concerning the network of the University of Bern.

First aid for cyber accidents

If your online order doesn't arrive or you're no longer able to log into your social media account, then you may have fallen victim to hacking or fraud. Read on to find out what you can do in this type of situation.

Data backup: Store your data in a second location

Your computer contains essential data such as photos, documents, emails, and tax returns. What if you lost it all? As a precaution, you should always back up your data to a separate location.

Cloud security: Using cloud services securely

Saving photos, videos, and other data to the cloud is something we've been doing almost automatically for a long time already. But what about security? We can show you how to store your data in the cloud securely while protecting your privacy.

DNS Firewall: First layer of protection from Phishing and Malware

If you are connected to the network of the University of Bern (e.g., via VPN, WiFi, or cable), the DNS Firewall offers you invisible protection against phishing and malware. We explain how the DNS Firewall works, what benefits it brings to you, and where the limits are.

Antivirus program: Protection against malicious software

An antivirus program is a virus scanner that detects and removes current and known malware such as viruses, worms, trojans, etc. In this article, you will find answers to the most common questions.

Always install them: The importance of updates

You know how it is: a pop-up window tells you that an update is available. Forget the "Remind me later" button and update right away. Updates are important for your digital security.

E-Mail-Security: You've got mail.

We receive contact requests, account notifications, newsletters, documents, and lots more via email. Unfortunately, criminals try to trick us by mingling fraudulent messages into this flood of information.

Mobile device security: How to protect your smartphone

Answering email, surfing the web, socializing, or shopping online - with a smartphone, you can do it all wherever and whenever you like. We use our smartphones almost exactly like our computers or laptops - so we should be giving them the same protection.

5 tips for your digital security

From 3-7 May, the Cyber Security Action Week is taking place: You will receive tips on protecting yourself and can participate in free webinars. The action week is launched by the Swiss Internet Security Alliance (SISA) with iBarry.ch in cooperation with the Swiss Crime Prevention (SKP), the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the "eBanking - but secure!" platform of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) as well as the cantonal and municipal police corps.

Malware: Beware of viruses, worms, and trojans!

Malware burrows into your computer, laptop, or smartphone. Through it, third parties can access your system and steal or manipulate your data without being noticed. Updates, the latest antivirus software, and a bit of caution when using the internet and email can protect you.

Social engineering: How cybercriminals trick us

Emails that threaten to delete our data, text messages announcing that we've won a big prize, or Facebook friends who might be the love of our lives – unexpected online encounters are seldom what they seem. Find out more about internet scams, how cybercriminals ensnare their victims, and what you can do to protect yourself.

Home Office: How to work securely

Working from home comes with some challenges. In this article, we would like to support you in ensuring that you can work from home as securely as possible with your IT resources.

Phishing: The email with the bait

When we receive an email, we click on it. Especially when the content is interesting, surprising, or worrying. Internet criminals try to exploit this with sophisticated techniques to "phish" sensitive data. Learn how to recognize a phishing attempt and what you can do to protect yourself.

Two-factor authentication: Do you already use two steps?

For email, Facebook, Ricardo, etc., you log in in one step by entering a password. But what if your password is stolen? Enabling a second step doubles the security of your data.

Strong Password: Protect yourself and your data

Many internet users think that it will never happen to them. But what if it does? What if the password you use to access an online store is stolen and happens to be the same as the password you use to access your Facebook or email account? As a result, cybercriminals are free to log in, place orders at your expense, take out contracts, send messages in your name, change your profiles, and more.

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