Information Technology Services is offering tips to help university employees keep information and identities secure as they use online resources to access W2 statements and file income taxes.

As W2 statements contain sensitive data, they should be encrypted while stored or transferred via USB device or computer hard drive.

The information is also vulnerable when it is in transit. Ensuring that encryption is enabled when emailing will prevent cyber criminals from stealing information electronically. If the data is not encrypted, it can be monitored, modified and captured. A common type of online encryption is through the use of websites that use a URL that begins with “https://.” This means all traffic between a browser and website – like an email website – is encrypted. Look for https:// in the URL, a lock icon on the browser, or the URL bar turning green. Most email clients, including the university’s email system, provide encrypted capabilities.

In recent years, some taxpayers have been victims of fraudulent tax returns being filed. The IRS has taken steps to implement new security safeguards to help fight fraudulent filings. For more information, click here.

For more information on securing campus computers and data, click here.