Skip to header Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Security Awareness

IT Security

Welcome to our Security Awareness hub, offering insights and help to safeguard your data. Whether you're looking to manage your personal information, protect your SSN or credit, or monitor your accounts, you'll find a wealth of information here to help you stay safe and secure.

Manage your Personal Information

Criminals are relentlessly pursuing your personal information, which, through no fault of your own, may have been exposed in a third-party vendor data breach. Data breaches involving social security numbers, health, and financial information are being revealed with alarming regularity.

Below are some strategies for better protecting yourself in this day and age

  • locking your accounts so that even if criminals gain your account information through a data breach they aren't able to easily use it; and
  • monitoring your accounts for suspicious activity

Protect your SSN

Take steps to protect your SSN by creating an account with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The SSA provides the following resources to assist you:

Protect your Credit

To prevent criminals from opening lines of credit or services in your name, you may also want to proactively freeze your credit with the following three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), or look to the NC Department of Justice for additional support.

Equifax

Equifax Credit Report Services
Phone Number: 1.888.298.0045

Experian

Experian Help
Phone Number: 1.888.397.3742

TransUnion

TransUnion Credit Help
Phone Number: 1.800.916.8800

NC Department of Justice

Also, the North Carolina Department of Justice provides the following resources to assist you:

How to Get Free Security Freezes Online

Monitor your Accounts

Professional services are available to monitor and alert you if these services detect your name, address, date of birth, and/or Social Security Number are being used in applications for lines of credit or other services that could be used to defraud you.

LifeLock, Kroll and IdentityGuard are examples of companies that offer monitoring services you may choose to engage with to help you combat identity theft.

Celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month with Us!

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we have an exciting lineup of events and activities for faculty, staff and students. Explore what we have planned and join us in raising awareness and taking steps to safeguard yourself from cyber threats!

Celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month with Us!

Microsoft Update Affecting Duo Login Experience

Microsoft has announced a mandatory security update that will go live the evening of Sept. 12, 2025. The update affects how you log in to applications that use UNCW’s single sign-on (SSO) by adding one extra step before you reach the Duo Universal Prompt. This required change improves security and complies with new two-factor authentication standards.

Microsoft Update Affecting Duo Login Experience

IT Security Update to Open Authorization (OAuth 2.0)

OAuth 2.0 is an authorization protocol websites or applications use to access information from other apps. If you have used campus applications such as Zoom or Adobe, then you have utilized OAuth 2.0.  Read More About What's Changing With Oauth 2.0.

IT Security Update to Open Authorization (OAuth 2.0)