March is one of the most exciting times of the year for college basketball fans – nonstop drama, big plays and unforgettable moments.
It’s when underdogs rise, brackets bust and fans rally behind their favorite teams with renewed energy.
Unfortunately, it’s also a time when bad actors take advantage of loyal fans caught up in game highlights, predictions and nonstop coverage.
Whether at work or at home, this time of year we must remain mindful of what we do online.
Play Good Defense Online
- Be cautious when opening links on social media and message boards. Many fan forums are insecure and commonly used to distribute malicious content.
- Stick with trusted, reputable news outlets for highlights, brackets and updates.
- Watch out for phishing emails tied to promotions, gambling, giveaways or ticket offers. These scams spike during major sporting events.
For State Employees
- Don’t use state devices or the state network to stream games, highlights or to browse other content. Streaming creates heavy network traffic that can disrupt critical agency services.
- If you want to follow the action, use your personal device and your personal data plan instead.
- Remember that the State of North Carolina’s Acceptable Use Policy allows streaming only when necessary and only when it directly supports aligns agency business.
- If you have questions, please contact your agency’s help desk or security team.
No matter which team you’re cheering for, we’re all on the same team when it comes to protecting state data and safeguarding resources.