Free Online Activities
Join us throughout October for online opportunities to learn more about cybersecurity in fun and creative ways and to help protect yourself from cyber threats.
Say Hello to Our New Cyber Mascot
Meet our shell-strong cybersecurity champion! He captures the spirit of cybersecurity at Illinois. Thank you to all who submitted their creative ideas.
Winning name:
Securtle the Turtle
submitted by Anya Kanevskaya from Grainger Engineering
Winning tagline:
Be cautious, not quick. Think before you click!
submitted by Sonja Hansen from McKinley Health Center
Both winners will receive a swag bag full of Champions items, their names will be announced in upcoming campus communications, and the name and tagline of our new mascot will be included in Cybersecurity Champions communications and campaigns. You will see Securtle in the Inside Scoop newsletter, and he will help us promote Champions team activities.
Brought to you by the Big Ten Academic Alliance
Level Up Your Cyber Game
Wednesday, October 1
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Today, good cyber skills are the new life skills, and we’re here to put your mind through the motions in a turbocharged game show that tests your abilities
Join us online and compete against players from other Big Ten schools. Answers are scored on both accuracy and speed. You can join from your mobile device or computer.
Passwordle
Monday, October 6-Friday, October 31
If you enjoy Wordle but wish it taught something useful, try Passwordle. You’ll play as an ethical hacking apprentice guessing five-letter passwords in six tries using mock social media clues. Learn about online security and compete for prizes during the month of October. It’s casual, educational and maybe a bit addictive.
Presented by the Big Ten Academic Alliance
Scary Cyber Tales: Don’t Let Your Data Go Bump in the Night
Wednesday, October 22
1–2 p.m.
Journey into the real-life dangers of the digital world. Hear real-world stories of cyberattacks, data breaches, and online scams that will make you think twice about your digital security. Learn about the most common threats, from phishing and ransomware to malware and social engineering, and get practical tips on how to protect yourself. Join a team of cybersecurity experts for an hour of spooky tales and essential security lessons to ensure your digital life doesn’t turn into a scary cyber tale!
Presented by the Big Ten Academic Alliance
Rachel Tobac: Exploiting Trust – The Human Element of Security
Wednesday, October 29
11 a.m.
Rachel Tobac executes social engineering attacks for a living and uses her real-life ethical hacking stories to keep organizations updated on methods criminals are using to trick people. She’ll break down recent cyber-attacks in the news, and how to defend against the latest hacking methods, even when criminals are using AI. Her tales from the field and live hacking demonstrations throughout the presentation are sure to keep you and your team “politely paranoid” to catch the next human hacker in the act.