Experts from the Russian Institute of Information Technology reveal previously unheard-of fraud schemes, spanning from decatalling to leasing cards
In the digital age, it's essential for university students and graduates to be vigilant against phishing scams that masquerade as university staff or school psychologists. These scams aim to steal personal information, money, or even compromise your devices.
Experts from the Regional Public Center for Internet Technologies (RОСIT) advise against resolving issues through messengers with unverified contacts. If you encounter such a situation, do not respond. Instead, find the university's phone number yourself and call to confirm if there is a real problem.
Scammers often pose as support services such as Microsoft or "Gosuslugi", or even cryptocurrency traders, offering to use you as an intermediary for a transfer. Be wary of emails asking you to call support.
Key protective measures include never sharing login credentials or personal data with anyone via email or messaging, installing and keeping antivirus and anti-malware software up to date, and checking email sender addresses carefully. Hover over links to verify their true destination before clicking, and avoid opening attachments or downloading images from unknown sources.
Pausing to carefully scrutinize messages that demand urgent action is also crucial. Phishing often uses urgency to cause mistakes. Reporting suspicious emails using official university channels, such as "Report Phish" in Outlook or designated IT phishing teams, helps block attackers and protect others.
Universities also conduct regular awareness training for students and staff to recognize phishing tactics, helping build vigilance and confidence against these common social engineering attacks.
Any request to enter a code or send money is a sign of fraud. Never share card data, login, or password from a banking app with strangers - even if it's for temporary use. Scammers may also pose as experts and send messages with a link to a "mandatory" test or claim that admission may be jeopardized due to document issues.
Remember, real law enforcement officers will not conduct a conversation via video and demand money. Fraudsters may transfer the call, extract more personal data, or demand money, asking for a transfer or cash delivery through a courier.
Offline scammers also pose a threat, posing as professionals and entering apartments, installing bugs, stealing valuables, or hacking smart Wi-Fi enabled air conditioners to gain access to the entire home network.
In the end, vigilance combined with technical safeguards and proactive reporting form the core defense against phishing scams masquerading as university-related contacts. By staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself and others from falling victim to these scams.
- In the realm of cybersecurity, it's crucial for university students and graduates to participate in education-and-self-development programs focused on recognizing phishing tactics, given the increasing threat of technology-based scams impersonating university staff or school psychologists.
- As technology advances, it's essential for universities to incorporate cybersecurity education into their curriculum, enabling students and staff to fortify their devices, safeguard personal information, and practice vigilance against phishing scams.
