"UCR's open and distributed network & computing infrastructure requires that the security, confidentiality, and privacy of campus electronic communications and data be a shared responsibility. Thus, security should be given the highest possible level of attention not only by C&C, but by any and all individuals, groups, departments, or organizations that provide, host, or enable electronic communications, data storage, or other computing infrastructure."

Phishing Warning:

Phishing techniques attempt to acquire sensitive information such as usernames and passwords by emailing requests from a fraudulent url, such as ".EDU." UCR Students, Faculty and Staff must be cautious of this activity and never give out such information upon email request. Please click the image to the right to view an important announcement regarding recent phishing attempts directed at campus users.

Five Important Initiatives Enhancing Security @ UCR

UCR’s electronic systems, communications resources, and cyber infrastructures are fundamental tools used to facilitate campus research, instruction, public service, and administrative processes.  To protect these valuable resources, the campus has acted on five important initiatives aimed at enhancing cyber security.  An overview of these efforts is as follows:

• UCR has adopted a suite of Minimum Standards for all devices connecting to the campus network.  These standards will help ensure the campus electronic resources are available, reliable, and secure.

• UCR provides anti-virus software available to all faculty, students, and staff at no cost.

• UCR also provides anti-spyware software available to all faculty, students, and staff at no cost.

• UCR departments have access to a web based tool for acquiring computers and laptops at extremely competitive prices.  Access to this new tool (eBuy PC+) will help ensure campus computers are upgraded on a regular basis and are thus capable of running secure operating systems as well as anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

• Finally, UCR has created and deployed an on-line Security Tutorial providing background on important security related issues as well as practical techniques for securing and protecting campus electronic resources, especially personal computers.

Goals of this Web Site and Your Feedback

Electronic systems and resources have become indispensable aspects of daily campus life.  As such, they must be protected and safeguarded from harm.  The primary goal of this web site is to alert the UCR community to potential cyber threats and to provide guidelines, tools, and techniques for mitigating and addressing this threat.  Computing and Communications welcomes your comments, feedback, and suggestions.  Please e-mail your thoughts to Larry McGrath, Director, Computing Support Services (larry.mcgrath@ucr.edu) or to Russ Harvey, Director, Computing Infrastructure and Security (russ.harvey@ucr.edu).