October marks the start of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

The information technology department will be sending out safety tips throughout the month to keep students informed and active about online security.

Tyler Johnston from IT said cybersecurity is a multifaceted idea. He said that while there are many potential dangers that online activity can bring, he believes identity theft is one of the most damaging.

“What should be of primary concern is defending against identity theft,” Johnston said. “Identity theft is expensive and time-consuming to recover from, so being aware and defending against it is very important.

“The number one most important thing you can do to be safe online is to protect your personal information and your computer.”

Sophomore Bridget Hays said identity theft crosses her mind when she is shopping online or giving out personal information, but for the most part she said her online activities are more related to social networking.

However, according to the National Cyber Security Alliance, online shopping is not the only situation where identity theft occurs.

Social networks also provide a great venue for identity theft because “the more information you post, the easier it may be for a hacker to use that information to steal your identity or access your data.”

While Hays said she is comfortable using social networks, she is aware of their flaws, and she pays close attention to who can view her profile and what information they can see.

“I usually feel pretty safe because I’ve made sure that my security settings are strict,” Hays said.

Johnston said he agrees that social networks are generally safe for students to use, as long as they follow the proper policies.

“Social networking sites are amazing resources that enable communication with people from all over the world,” Johnston said. “But you must use care when posting and communicating with others.”

Outside of social networking, common problems Johnston said he sees working in IT are issues concerning passwords and viruses.

Johnston said the Help Desk has helped over 180 students with password issues since Aug. 1. Students forgetting passwords or letting them expire is the number one call to Help Desk.

He said another frequent problem the Help Desk runs into are students contracting viruses, usually through a file-sharing software like Limewire. The Help Desk has already helped 90 students this year with virus problems.

While computer problems inevitably occur, by taking just a few simple steps, Johnston said students can greatly reduce their  online risks.

“Keep your computer and antivirus up-to-date, never give out your passwords, regularly back up your files, beware of e-mail phishing scams and think before you post, update your status or share your location,” Johnston said. “And always review your privacy settings on social networking sites.”

For more information, visit www.staysafeonline.org.

An unknowing freshman fell through the roof of Butler University’s greenhouse last Saturday.

Butler University Police Department Sgt. Mike Banner said that the student sat on the greenhouse roof, thinking it was brick, and fell through the glass.

BUPD withheld the name of the student involved.

“It’s hard to say how far he fell,” he said. “If he fell the entire way, it could have been close to 20 feet.

“I noticed several cuts on his hands, arms, legs and a cut on his lip.”

Medics from Wishard Hospital treated the student.

“They put a few small bandages on his cuts,” Sgt. Banner said. “He had one cut on his leg that might have needed a few stitches.”

Banner said the student refused to go to the hospital with the ambulance but that his friend would take him later.

“He had been drinking,” Banner said. “But I don’t think that was a major factor in why he fell through the glass.

“I think he thought it was concrete because it was painted gray.”

Footprints can be seen on the glass where paint once was.

The manager of the greenhouse white footprints surround the floor of the greenhouse in the area where the student fell.

He said he also noticed a smear of blood on a nearby sink and was skeptical that the student simply sat on the roof.

BUPD Assistant Chief Andrew Ryan said he doesn’t know whether or not the student sat or stood on the building but he doesn’t believe any of the student’s actions were meant to damage the building.

“I’m not of the opinion that he was maliciously trying to cause damage to the greenhouse,” he said. “He just made a bad decision.”

Banner said another factor may have been the student’s unfamiliarity with the building.

“If he would have been on campus a few years, he would have know that the building was made of glass,” he said.

Banner said  BUPD didn’t press any criminal charges.

“Our report was generated and it was forwarded to student affairs to decide what kind of discipline there will be,” he said.

The greenhouse is used for biology classes such as the Principles of Biology and the Principles of Botany. It is also used for some art classes.

Jerry Carlson, director of maintenance at Butler, said maintenance responded to the call from BUPD about someone falling through the roof.

“We asked an employee to come in ASAP early Sunday morning to board up the broken glass,” Carlson said. “We then contacted a glass replacement company to replace three panes of glass on Monday, Aug. 30.”

Carlson said the total cost of the glass replacement and repairs was $377.15.