Limit What You Share Online
- Look yourself up. Search your name to see what comes up and remove your information from websites, as desired.
- Reduce your digital footprint. Regularly review social media and online accounts, and curate the content you publish. Consider deactivating accounts you no longer use.
- Care about what you share. Consider not sharing information about your family, travel plans, or anything that identifies your location.
- Separate personal from professional accounts. This allows you to maintain stricter access controls on personal information that you only want to share with close friends and family.
- Regularly review privacy settings and friends lists on social media, especially those where you share personal information.
- Regularly review and delete text messages and email you no longer need.
- Regularly review your credit reports. You can obtain a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies.
Control Your Online Interactions
- Block senders of unwanted email or set up custom email filters to automatically send email to spam or trash.
- Watch out for phishing attacks. Phishing emails try to trick you into providing personal information or downloading malware. Learn to identify phishing, smishing (text scams), and how to spot a spoofed email.
- Report phishing and other suspicious email by forwarding to reportphish@umich.edu.
- Do not engage in online disputes. It is a waste of time and may lead to escalation. Block or mute those who regularly harass others.
- Keep evidence. Keep records of any online harassment, including screenshots, messages, or any other evidence in case you decide to involve law enforcement or take legal action.
- Educate yourself. Stay informed about the latest online threats and security best practices. Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true. Review IA Alerts, Advisories & Notices and Phishes & Scams notifications.
Secure Personal Devices & Accounts
- Secure your passwords. Use a unique, complex password for each account, in particular, for U-M, Apple, Google, and social media. Consider using a password manager (e.g., Bitwarden and 1Password).
- Set up two-factor authentication on all platforms that support it. Most social media and financial websites do.
- Protect personal computers and devices. Run security updates promptly to keep your operating system and software up to date. Run anti-malware software (e.g., Norton and McAfee).
- Use secure WiFi connections. Avoid accessing sensitive accounts or conducting financial transactions over public WiFi networks. Use trusted networks or a virtual private network (VPN) for added security.
Escalation Pathways
If you feel threatened, intimidated, or that your safety is at risk, report it to the U-M Police Department (UMPD) or other law enforcement immediately.
- U-M DPSS Non-Emergency Lines: Call 734-763-1131 or text 377911
- U-M Anonymous Tip Line: 800-863-1355
**Do not delete any messages from the harasser/abuser–they may be used as evidence.**
If you believe your U-M account has been compromised, contact ITS Information Assurance at security@umich.edu.