Returning to school after time away is a big step, and technology can feel like the steepest part of the climb. The good news is that you’re not the only one with technology questions. We asked the folks who support returning and adult students what trips people up the most, and we’ve pulled the answers together here. 

If cybersecurity headlines feel like they’re arriving faster than ever, you’re not imagining it. Cybersecurity teams around the world are racing to keep up with new vulnerabilities, rushed software fixes, and data breaches that seem to make the news every week.

Text scams used to be easier to spot. If a random number texted you saying you won a prize you never entered, you could just block, delete, and move on with your life. Today’s smishing attempts are more targeted, more common, and much less obvious. Here’s what you need to know to avoid getting smished.

Phishing volume has surged more than 40-fold since genAI tools hit the market in late 2022, according to data from SlashNext cited by cybersecurity training firm Hoxhunt.

A video call with your boss. A voicemail from a family member. A clip of a public figure saying something shocking. A few years ago, you could trust your own eyes and ears to sort real from fake. That’s no longer always the case.

You may have heard that AI can help you brainstorm an outline or explain a tricky concept from a lecture. What you might not know is what happens to everything you type once you hit send. As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, here are a few habits worth building now, so AI stays a helpful tool instead of a liability.

October means falling leaves, midterms, and our favorite: Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Pitt Digital’s cybersecurity team put together a full slate of events this year for students, and there’s something for every kind of Panther, whether you like in-person activities, friendly competition, or knocking out your trai

Between classes, work, and everything else you have going on, it’s easy to forget that web browser updates are a thing. But with so much of life happening online, taking time to protect your digital environment can help you avoid unwanted headaches later on. Here are 5 reasons it’s worth hitting “update” on your web browser now — like, right now.

When the weather’s nice, you shouldn’t have to stay inside just to get your work done. On Pitt’s campus, nice weather and study sessions don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Students often turn to their instructor first when they have a question — even one that’s more technical than academic.  Here’s your guide to digital resources available this semester, so you can send them in the right direction, quickly and with confidence.

If you’re using Generative AI @ Pitt to help you work more efficiently, you probably already know that speed isn’t the only thing that matters. The way you use GenAI can also shape how your work lands with the people who read it — your colleagues, your manager, your peers.

When you need to send an email, hop on a call, or record today’s lecture, you want to choose the right tool for the job. At Pitt, you have plenty of options to support your communication and collaboration tasks. The hard part is knowing which to reach for and when. Here’s your quick guide to pick the right tool for every conversation.

You don't have to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself, but it helps to know what's out there — starting with Business email compromise, or BEC. Unlike phishing scams riddled with typos from unknown senders, BEC is designed to blend in completely, and in 2026, AI is making it even easier to pull off.

Pitt Digital has your back all year long with cybersecurity tips that actually stick. Every student at Pitt completes a required annual cybersecurity training, and this year's edition zeros in on generative AI.

With the new semester just around the corner, it’s time to get your software set-up started. By the time you collect all your syllabi and set up your study schedule, the last thing you’ll want to think about is how to download Word. But no matter when you choose to set up your software, Pitt Digital has your back.

When you’re on campus, it’s nice knowing where there’s a person who can look at your laptop when you need support, a printer when you need a hard copy, or an outlet when your phone's running low. You can find Pitt Digital services at plenty of on-campus spots designed to help you take care of your tech.

Starting at Pitt is a lot. New campus. New schedule. New everything. The last thing you need is to show up without the digital tools you need to hit the ground running. This checklist walks you through exactly what to set up — and when — so you're ready to log in, connect, and go from day one.

Welcome — or welcome back — to Pitt! 💙💛 In 2026, your life at the University isn’t confined to the physical world. Digital resources connect you to your classes, your peers, and your future.

Need to whip up a flyer for a department event? Edit a PDF before it goes out to your team? Design something a little more polished than what Microsoft 365 can offer? Pitt Digital can help you access the Adobe tools you need to do your work. Here’s your guide to what’s available and when to use it.

If you’re someone who keeps a million and one digital and physical notebooks (and can never find the note you’re looking for), Microsoft’s all-in-one digital notebook is ready and waiting in your Microsoft 365 account — and it comes free to students, faculty, and staff with your Pitt credentials.

If you’re still using the same password you made up years ago, this is your sign that it’s time for an upgrade. In today’s digital age, we’re responsible for more password-protected accounts than we’d like to be, which makes it easy to take shortcuts. But those shortcuts have consequences — namely, putting your data at risk.

This summer, you have a pretty good reason to fine-tune your remote work setup. Starting in July, PennDOT’s closure of I-376 Parkway East will route interstate traffic through Forbes and Fifth avenues.

Summer is here, and with it — vacation season. When you’re deep in travel planning mode, returning to the office is probably the last thing on your mind. But while you’re away, your inbox isn't.

What are Pitt students actually saying about AI? A faculty research team spent the spring of 2025 finding out — and Pitt Digital was proud to support their work.

The semester might be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop learning. Summer is a great time to brush up on the professional skills you may not have had the bandwidth to perfect during the school year. That’s where LinkedIn Learning comes in.