Online Safety - Western Special Constable Service

Protect Your Information and Recognize Online Threats

Learn how to secure your accounts and devices, recognize common scams, and report suspicious or harmful online activity.

Protect Your Accounts and Devices

Strong security habits can reduce the risk of unauthorized access, identity theft, and data loss.

Use strong, unique passwords for important accounts
Enable multi-factor authentication whenever it is available
Keep your operating system, apps, and security software up to date
Lock your phone, computer, and tablet when they are not in use
Back up important files regularly
Do not share passwords, verification codes, or account-recovery information

Change your passwords promptly if you believe an account or device may have been compromised.

Recognize Phishing and Online Scams

Phishing messages and online scams often try to create urgency, fear, or excitement so you act before checking whether the request is legitimate.

Be cautious of unexpected messages asking you to click a link, open an attachment, send money, or provide personal information
Check the sender’s address carefully and watch for unusual spelling, wording, or formatting
Do not provide passwords, verification codes, banking details, or identification through an unexpected message
Verify urgent requests through a trusted phone number, website, or separate communication method
Be cautious of offers, prizes, jobs, rentals, or investments that seem unusually easy or profitable
Do not allow someone you do not trust to remotely access your device

When in doubt, stop and verify the request before responding or taking action.

Protect Your Personal Information

Limit the amount of personal information you share online and review who can see your accounts, posts, and location.

Review privacy and security settings on social media and other online accounts
Avoid posting your home address, class schedule, travel plans, or live location publicly
Be selective when accepting connection or follow requests
Check what information is included in photos, screenshots, and shared documents
Use secure methods when sharing identification, financial information, or confidential documents
Delete accounts and apps you no longer use, and remove permissions they no longer need

Remember that information shared online may be copied, saved, or redistributed beyond the audience you intended.

Use Secure Networks and Connections

Use trusted networks and secure connections when accessing accounts, sharing personal information, or completing financial transactions.

Use Western’s approved wireless networks and follow University technology guidance
Avoid accessing sensitive accounts through unknown or unsecured public Wi-Fi
Confirm that websites are legitimate before entering passwords, payment details, or personal information
Turn off automatic Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections when they are not needed
Do not plug unknown USB drives or other devices into your computer
Use a trusted cellular connection or another secure option when a network appears suspicious

Stop using a connection if you receive unexpected security warnings, redirects, or login requests.

Online Harassment, Threats, or Harmful Content

Take online threats, harassment, impersonation, and the non-consensual sharing of personal information seriously.

Do not engage with threatening or abusive messages
Save screenshots, messages, usernames, links, dates, and times
Use the platform’s blocking and reporting tools when appropriate
Review your privacy settings and change passwords if an account may be compromised
Tell someone you trust and seek support
Contact WSCS when the behaviour involves threats, stalking, impersonation, repeated harassment, or a campus safety concern

Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to life or safety.

If You Think an Account or Device Has Been Compromised

Act quickly to limit further access and protect your information.

Change the affected password from a trusted device
Sign out of other sessions and remove unknown devices or account connections
Enable multi-factor authentication if it is not already active
Check account recovery details, forwarding rules, and recent activity for unauthorized changes
Run approved security updates and scans on the device
Contact your bank or card provider promptly if financial information may be affected
Report the incident through the appropriate Western technology-support channel

Preserve suspicious messages, screenshots, and other relevant information before deleting anything.

Report Online Fraud, Threats, or Security Concerns

Report the concern to the service best positioned to respond.

Call 911 when an online threat creates an immediate risk to life or safety
Contact WSCS for threats, harassment, stalking, impersonation, fraud, or other online activity connected to campus safety
Contact Western technology support for compromised Western accounts, suspicious email, malware, or device-security concerns
Contact your bank or payment provider immediately when money or financial information may be at risk

Preserve messages, screenshots, transaction details, usernames, links, dates, and times before deleting or blocking anything.

Call 911 Call WSCS Report a Concern

Western Technology Support

Use Western’s technology-support resources for suspicious email, compromised Western accounts, malware, device-security concerns, and other technical issues.

Visit Western Technology Services

Report a Campus Safety Concern

Contact the Western Special Constable Service when online behaviour involves threats, harassment, stalking, impersonation, fraud, or any other concern affecting campus safety.

Report a Concern