The higher education sector has recently seen anotherÌýsurge in cyber-attacksÌýwith the National Cyber Security CentreÌý.ÌýÖ÷²¥ÓÕ»ó has also seen aÌýlarge increase in the number ofÌýscam emailsÌýtargeting Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó email addresses, with overÌý15,500 scam emailsÌýreceived in March alone.ÌýÌý
It’s more important than ever forÌýbothÌýÖ÷²¥ÓÕ»ó, and for us as individuals,Ìýto take decisive action to harden defences against cyber-attacks. It’s everyone’s responsibility to understand the risks and to take action to prevent them.ÌýWorking together we can help protect Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó and protect each other from email scams.Ìý
Stop email scammers in their tracksÌý
- Check the email senderÌý–ÌýIs the emailÌýsenderÌýimpersonating someone you know?ÌýDo youÌýrecognise the email address of theÌýsender?ÌýDoesÌýitÌýlook suspicious?ÌýIs the email posing to be from a company, but sent from an @gmail or @hotmail address? All of these are warning signs that the email is a scam.ÌýÌý
- Stop and inspect allÌýhyperlinksÌýbefore clicking -ÌýGet into the habit of hovering over them first to check where it’s taking youÌýtoÌýor what you’re downloading.ÌýÌý
- Don’t click any link you are not 100% sure aboutÌý- especially on mobile devices where it’s difficult to verify a weblink. Take a look at our guidance on . Ìý
- Beware ofÌýattachmentsÌýthatÌýcould be maliciousÌý-Ìýbe vigilant when it comes to email attachments and opening files that you’ve been sent over social media or text. Beware of files that ask you toÌýÌýand don’t open a file that comes from anyone you are not expecting a file from.Ìý
Here is aÌýrecent examples of a scam email targeting Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó accounts, highlighting some of the warning signs:Ìý
ÌýReporting -ÌýTell us about any suspicious emailsÌý
- If youÌýreceive any emails that look suspicious,Ìýdo not reply or click on any links.ÌýInstead, please forward the email toÌý[email protected]Ìýfor investigation.Ìý
- If you accidently click on a link or an attachment, then realise something isn’t right – report itÌýimmediately. Contact IT Services on 01202 965515 orÌýfreephone 0808 196 2332.ÌýÌý
- If you suspect that you are the victim of a personal cyber-attack e.g. financial fraud, extortion or a scam, contact your bank, and/orÌýÌýas soon as possible.Ìý
For further guidance about staying safe online, visit our helpfulÌýITÌýinformation pages. Ìý