The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Academic Engagement (OAE) supports the DHS mission by building, improving and leveraging relationships with the academic community.
 
Through this ongoing series, read how OAE actively engages with the academic community in the United States and leads initiatives related to international students, among other key focus areas.

Throughout October, DHS observes National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and encourages everyone to recognize the role they play in making the Internet safer and more secure by practicing good cyber habits.

As an international student studying in the United States, it is important that you have good cyber habits to protect yourself from threats on the Internet, like immigration scams. As scams targeting international students are on the rise, it is important that you follow these cybersecurity best practices from DHS:

• Set strong passwords and do not share them with anyone.
• Maintain an open dialogue with your family, friends and designated school official about Internet safety, and any scams or threats you encounter online.
• Limit the amount of personal information you post online and use privacy settings to avoid sharing information widely.
• Be cautious about what you receive or read online — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Install the recommended security updates on your computer’s operating system, Internet browser and other critical software.

To learn more about how DHS is prioritizing cybersecurity and promoting cyber resilience on U.S. college campuses across the country, visit the DHS website. For additional resources and information about how you can help DHS strengthen cybersecurity, visit www.DHS.gov/StopThinkConnect.

If you have a good cyber habit to share, let us know on social media using the hashtag #CyberAware.

Sign up to receive monthly updates about DHS’s engagement with the academic community by visiting OAE’s website.