It’s Time To Learn About Cybersecurity
Many college students don’t realize they’re at risk for cyberattacks and data breaches. While some understand the dangers associated with clicking links from unknown sources—and
the responsibilities that come with posting on social media—there are still many students who become victims of cyberattacks.
Especially with remote learning becoming more popular in college settings, the threats you face via email, social media, and on mobile devices are all too real. Phishing, social media risks, device protection, and secure Wi-Fi are just some important topics for all college students to pay attention to.
While cyberattackers do try to take advantage of students, they also want to target their universities. Getting into a university’s network and data could give them access to things like banking accounts, medical records, and even cutting-edge research. It could also let them send phishing emails from a university account to reach a larger audience.
Phishing 101
Something all students need to learn is how to recognize and avoid phishing attacks. Phishing emails are designed to trick people into helping the attacker. Falling for one can expose personal information without you even realizing it. Attackers use these emails to collect sensitive data, gain access to accounts, or steal money. Even if you feel you don’t have enough important information or money for an attacker to benefit from scamming you, you can still be a target.
Tips for Spotting a Phish
• Sender details: Be wary if you don’t know the sender, or if you’ve never provided them with an email address. If you do know the sender, think about other emails you’ve received from them. Also, beware of messages from free email services rather than official organizational emails.
• Context: What is the purpose of the email? Attackers will use emotions and urgency to scare you or intrigue you. They want you to react quickly, and without thinking. Always verify any offers with the organization the email claims to be from. Do not reply directly to the email.
• Content: What does the email contain?Be wary of attachments you aren’t expecting, as they can download malicious software (malware) to your device. Be wary of errors and unusual language. Do not click any links, even if they look valid. Hovering over links first allows you to see the URL and its true destination.
If an email looks suspicious, be sure to investigate it, report it using the "Report Phish" button in Outlook, and delete it.
Social Media: Be Smart
Social media is a big part of daily life. We’re used to being bombarded with appeals to “connect,” to take part in a survey, or to explore a new website. However, be cautious! Consider the “who” and the “what” of a request. Do you know this person? Is this a message from someone you know, but it doesn’t sound like them? What are they asking you to do?
While many students are aware of the dangers of social media, attackers are always finding new ways to hack into people’s accounts. And posting private information on your profile practically puts it into the hands of an attacker. Always be cautious with any personal information you put on your social media accounts—anyone can access it easily.
Steps To Take When Something Seems Wrong
• Ignore posts and links that lead to unfamiliar or unverified websites
• Reject connection requests from people you’ve never met
• Block and report suspicious messages and/or accounts
• Alert colleagues, friends, or family members if you see signs that one of their accounts has been taken over or duplicated
• Follow your organization’s policies if someone reaches out to you with a persistent or suspicious interest in your organization
EXTRA TIPS!
• We’ve all come to rely on Wi-Fi, but public Wi-Fi is unsecure, and risky! Any network that doesn’t require a password is not secure—no matter where it is. Using public Wi-Fi could lead to an attacker accessing your data.
• If you see something, say something. Even when classes are remote, physical security habits should still apply. Be sure to have secure passwords on all devices and accounts. Failing to follow these security measures (even when they feel inconvenient) can lead to very harmful security breaches.
• Students are just as vulnerable to security breaches as anyone else—don’t succumb to attackers’ tactics.