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Cyber Security Month 2026

Sophos Home

Shophos Home and WSSU

Sophos Home is a free antivirus and cybersecurity solution available to faculty, staff, and students to help protect personal Windows and macOS computers. It provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, ransomware, and other online threats, helping keep your devices and personal information secure whether you're at home or on the go.

Visit Sophos Home

Dashlane

Dashlane and WSSU

Dashlane is a secure password manager that helps you create, store, and autofill strong, unique passwords across your devices. It also securely stores passkeys, payment information, and other sensitive data, making it easier to protect your online accounts and improve your overall cybersecurity. Your University account also comes with a VPN subscription, 5 family accounts, and Dark Web monitoring for up to 5 personal email addresses.

Students can get started by following the link here to create their account. Faculty and staff should look for their Dashlane invitation email in their inbox to activate their account. If you cannot find the invitation, please contact the IT Help Desk for assistance.

Visit Dashlane

CyberBowl

cyberbowl wssu

Cyber Bowl is an annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month competition held October 1–31, where UNC System schools compete to see which institution can achieve the highest participation rate. Participants complete a short 5-question cybersecurity quiz, and the school with the largest percentage of its total population participating earns bragging rights as the Cyber Bowl champion.

Cyber Security Events

Week 1: Phishing and Social Engineering

Staff / Faculty: Smishing Frenzy

Student: Phish Catcher Game

Events:

Tabling Events

  • October 1st, 2026 - 9:30AM-2:00PM – DJR Lobby
  • October 5th, 2026 - 9:30AM-2:00PM – Thompson Dining Hall

Retro-style cybersecurity poster titled “GHOST” about phishing and social engineering. A dark, faceted figure faces a phishing hook dangling over an email icon, with a hand reaching toward it. Text emphasizes “Trust, but verify… then verify again” and advises that emails creating a false sense of urgency are probably traps.

Retro-style cybersecurity poster titled “GADGET” about AI threats and safety. A futuristic figure wearing a visor examines a red wireframe human face, suggesting AI and deepfake detection. Text reads “Keep your tools sharp and your mind sharper” and recommends using a code word with family or colleagues to verify identity during suspicious urgent calls.

Week 2: AI Safety and Deepfakes

Staff / Faculty: A Deepfake Social Engineering Attack

Student: AI, Phishing, and Cybersafety for Students

Events:

Tabling Events

  • October 12th, 2026 - 9:30AM-2:00PM – Thompson 1st Floor Lobby

Cyber Security Escape Room (Incident 104)

  • October 14th, 2026 - 9:30AM-4:00PM

Week 3: Data Security and Passwords

Staff / Faculty: Strong Passwords, Secure Accounts

Student: Password and Account Fundamentals for Students

Events:

Tabling Events

  • October 19th, 2026 - 9:30AM-2:00PM – Thompson 1st Floor Lobby

Retro-style cybersecurity poster titled “LOCK N KEY” about data security and passwords. A dark robotic cryptographer with red goggles works on a tablet displaying technical interfaces. The motto is “[REDACTED],” with text highlighting passkeys, MFA, and encryption and advising that a password should be a story only you know rather than a single word.

Retro-style cybersecurity poster titled “SCOUT” about incident reporting. A masked field operative uses a tablet beside icons representing monitoring, data, and alerts. The motto says, “If it walks like a data breach and talks like a data breach, you better tell someone,” reinforcing the advice, “If you see something, say something.”

Week 4: Incident Reporting

Staff / Faculty:
Hack-Proof Habits: Reporting Part 1
Hack-Proof Habits: Reporting Part 2

Student: Your Role as a Student: Internet Security and You

Events:

Tabling Events

  • October 12th, 2026 - 9:30AM-2:00PM – Thompson 1st Floor Lobby

Shred IT and Surplus Day

  • Friday, October 30th, 2026 - 12:00PM-3:00PM