Tech Tip Tuesday

Welcome back to our monthly Tech Tip! This year, we'll continue focusing on simple ways to recognize phishing attempts and protect our accounts. 🎣 THE EMAIL CAN BE REAL, BUT THE REQUEST CAN BE FAKE We've talked before about checking the sender of a suspicious email. That's still important, but there's a catch: Sometimes the sender really IS who they say they are. Cybercriminals sometimes gain access to a legitimate email account and use it to send phishing messages to people that person already knows. That means you could receive an email from a coworker, vendor, or even a school leader's real email address and still be looking at a phishing attempt. Before clicking a link, opening an unexpected attachment, sending information, or making a purchase, ask yourself: 🤔 Does this request make sense? Watch for: An unusual or unexpected request from someone you know Urgent requests to buy gift cards or make a payment Unexpected links asking you to sign in Requests to ch...

  Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT have revolutionized the way we work, learn, and create. From drafting emails to brainstorming ideas, these powerful chatbots offer incredible convenience and efficiency. However, with great power comes great responsibility – especially when it comes to the information we feed them. While AI chatbots are undeniably useful, it’s crucial to understand the inherent risks of sharing personal, sensitive, or confidential information in your conversations. Let's dive into why "thinking before you type" is more important than ever. The Training Ground: Your Data Could Be Teaching the AI One of the primary ways AI models improve is by learning from the data they process. When you interact with ChatGPT, for example, your conversations might be used to train future versions of the model. Unless you've actively opted out in your settings, anything you type – from a casual question to a sensitive detail – could inadvertently become part ...

We want to alert everyone to a sharp increase in phishing emails targeting staff—especially those involving fake login pages for major services like Google, DocuSign, Dropbox, and others . These scams are becoming more sophisticated and convincing, and we want to ensure you’re equipped to spot them before they cause damage . ⚠️ What’s Happening You may receive an email that looks like a legitimate request from a school we partner with or a service you recognize. It might ask you to: Sign a document (e.g., DocuSign) Open a shared file (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) View secure student records But here’s the trick: These emails often contain a link that leads you to a fake login page —most commonly a Google sign-in page that looks nearly identical to the real thing. Once you enter your email and password , the next screen will ask for your two-step verification code . It all feels normal… until it’s too late. 🔓 Why This Is So Dangerous These attackers aren’t just p...

Fireworks, cookouts, and… file security? While you’re celebrating our nation’s freedom, take five minutes to set your personal files free from snoops and hackers —no tech degree required. Why Bother? Think of the documents and photos you store in Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox: Family pictures Tax forms Lesson plans or student reports If someone breaks into your cloud account, they can see it all. Encrypting your files is like putting them in a locked treasure chest: thieves may grab the chest, but they can’t open it without your key. “Encrypt” in Plain English Encrypt = Lock with a secret key only you know. No key = no access, even if someone steals the files. 3 Easy Steps (No Geek Speak) Step What to Do Why 1. Install a “Vault” App Download Cryptomator (free for Windows, Mac, and phones). It adds a simple locked folder inside your cloud drive. 2. Create Your Key The app asks for a strong passphrase . Pick something long but memorable, like: SunnyJuly4thBBQ&Fireworks! This...

  Focused on day-to-day actions you control Your IT department already handles operating-system updates, network hardening, device settings, backups, and campus-wide monitoring behind the scenes. What they can’t automate is the moment-to-moment care you and your students give to school-issued devices. The checklist below highlights end-user habits every teacher can adopt to keep classrooms safe and distraction-free. 1. Model “Lock & Walk” Behavior Lock screens (or close lids) when stepping away, even for thirty seconds. Log out of shared devices at the end of class so that the next student can start fresh. Praise students who remember to do the same; habits spread by example. 2. Stick to District-Approved Sites, Apps, and Extensions Launch new websites or tools from the district’s vetted list. Test any unfamiliar site on a student profile before class. If something helpful is blocked, file a whitelist request with IT instead of bypassing the filter. 3. Practice Quick Email ...