One of the ways we can protect ourselves is through security training on a regular basis. This reinforces our knowledge of cybersecurity over time and becomes part of our subconscious defense behavior. Beginning in November, we will make short learning videos available on a monthly basis for people to review. After that, it’s time to test our Phishing skills and apply what we have learned in the form of fake Phishing emails. Can you spot the Phish?
Tag Archives: Cybersecurity
About Your Role
When we say See Yourself in Cyber, we mean see yourself in cyber no matter what role you play. As an individual or consumer, take steps to protect your online information and privacy. Faculty, staff, and service providers can take ownership of their role by putting cybersecurity in place to prevent incidents while protecting the University’s brand and reputation. Administrators support critical operations and are a part of the network of functions and systems that others rely on.
Remember: your role plays an important part in ensuring cybersecurity for the larger ecosystem!
Information Security and Phishing
Nearly 20 million students in the US are expected to attend universities this fall.
This is an exciting time for Simmons as our students, faculty, and staff return for the academic year. Unfortunately, the return to school provides ample opportunities for cybercriminals who wish to take advantage of people during these particularly busy times.
Phishing attacks are once again on the rise, accounting for more than 20% of data breaches in 2021[1]. It is estimated that one in every 99 messages (1.2%)[2] is malicious which equates to nearly 3.4 billion fake emails per day.
Luckily there are some healthy security practices that we all can take to reduce risk:
- Beware of email messages claiming to be of an urgent nature.
- Pay attention to the sender of the email message.
- Look out for fake logos, signatures, or suspicious message contents.
- Check those URLs; only visit official, reputable websites with encryption.
- Think twice before clicking links or opening attachments.
- Protect your passwords and use different passwords for your work, school, and personal accounts.
- Keep your machine clean.
- Make sure that all of your devices, apps, browsers, and antivirus software are up-to-date.
- Delete sensitive information if you no longer need it.
- Back-up your files regularly.
Be mindful of common scams targeting college students, including:
- Emails that contain “important information about your Simmons account” or a “problem with your registration”
- Tech Support scams where you get a call about a “problem with your computer”
- Scholarship scams, textbook rental or book-buying scams.
- IRS scams demanding money for a fake “federal student tax”
- Tuition reimbursement or student debt cancellation scams
- Messages asking for your login information, passwords, or other personal information
- Fake friend requests, fake login pages, and fake DropBox or Google Docs share notices.
Thank you for your continued cooperation supporting your information security and online safety! For more information about phishing and Internet scams, as well as ways to identify them, please visit our Phishing and Scams resource page
Please send any questions or concerns to the Technology Service Desk.
[1] Verizon 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report (https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/)
[2] Valimail Email Fraud Landscape Spring 2019 Report (https://valimail.docsend.com/view/qndhuhn)
Holiday Cybersecurity Tips
As the holiday season is underway, Simmons Technology is reminding users to be cautious of potential holiday scams and malicious cyber campaigns, particularly when browsing or shopping online. These scams can come in the form of emails or ecards with malicious links, attachments infected with malware, or requests to support fraudulent charities or causes. It is important to remain vigilant and avoid clicking on unfamiliar links or providing personal information to untrustworthy sources.
It is important to take extra precautions to protect yourself against common online shopping scams. Here are some tips to stay safe:
- Only shop on reliable websites from retailers you know and trust.
- Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and be wary of email attachments.
- Never give out your financial or personal information via email or text.
- Watch out for fake package tracking emails, fake ecards, and fake charity donation scams.
- Look for “https://” in the address bar before entering your credit card information online.
- Don’t auto-save your passwords or credit card numbers.
- Regularly check your credit card and bank statements and report any discrepancies to your financial institution.
- Use text alerts provided by your banking app or site to help detect unusual activity.
- Pay with a credit card instead of a debit card, as credit cards offer protections that may reduce your liability if your information is used improperly.
- Ignore pop-up offers and deals, and make sure your devices, apps, and anti-virus software are always up-to-date.
- Protect your passwords by making them long and strong, never sharing them with anyone, and using two-factor or 2-step authentication whenever possible.
We encourage users to remain vigilant and stay safe during the holiday season.