Campus Update: Cybersecurity

March 15, 2020

IMPORTANT CYBERSECURITY UPDATE

We are expecting a dramatic increase in phishing and social engineering attacks. Cybercriminals are aware of the increase in telecommuting due to the COVID-19 outbreak and are using it to their advantage.

Cybercriminals constantly latch on to news items that captivate the public’s attention. Usually, they do so by sensationalizing the topic or spreading misinformation about it. Recently, however, cybercrooks have started disseminating real-time, accurate information about global infection rates tied to the COVID-19 pandemic in a bid to infect computers with malicious malware. Social media, phishing emails and fake websites are used to obtain personal information and spread malicious software. Here are some tips to avoid being victimized.

  • Obtain information from trusted sources. Some web sites are providing misinformation and serving malicious software. Refer to the World Health Organization (WHO) (https://www.who.int), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (https://www.cdc.gov), and the Georgia Department of Public Health (https://dph.georgia.gov/) for official information on COVID-19. For updates regarding Albany State University, please visit the ASU Coronavirus webpage.
  • Check email addresses and links. Inspect web links by hovering your mouse pointer over the URL to see where it leads. Review the sender’s email address.
  • Beware of online requests for personal information. A COVID-19 themed email requesting personal information like your Social Security number or login information is a phishing scam. Never respond to these emails.
  • Watch for spelling and grammatical mistakes. If an email includes spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors, this may be a phishing email.
  • Look for generic greetings. Phishing emails are likely to use greetings like “Dear sir or madam.” These usually signal an email is not legitimate.
  • Avoid COVID-19 themed emails requiring an immediate response. Phishing emails often create a sense of urgency. Stop-Think-Then Click.
  • Report suspicious email. To report a suspicious email, click the PHISH Alert Button or forward the email to abuse@asurams.edu.

Avoid COVID-19 maps. Avoid clicking links to maps in social media posts and emails, especially maps of the COVID-19 outbreak, or referencing COVID-19. Please refer to the sources mentioned above for detailed information concerning the outbreak.