Cybersecurity Information
As the semester continues, we want to take a moment to share some important tips to
help keep you safe online.
In today鈥檚 digital world, cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to deceive
and manipulate users into sharing sensitive information. One of the most common and
dangerous methods they use is phishing鈥攕ending fake emails designed to steal personal
or company data.
Here are some simple but effective tips to help you spot and avoid phishing attempts:
- Hover Before You Click: Before clicking any link in an email, hover your mouse over it to see the actual
URL. If the URL looks suspicious or doesn鈥檛 match the sender鈥檚 domain, don鈥檛 click
on it.
- Watch Out for Lookalike Domains: Attackers often create fake domains that are very similar to legitimate ones, with
slight changes like missing letters or altered characters (e.g., replacing an "l"
with a "1"). Always double-check the URL for these subtle differences.
- Beware of Out-of-Character Messages: If you receive an email that asks you to do something unusual or unexpected, think
twice before acting. It may be an attempt to trick you.
- Sense of Urgency: Phishing emails often try to create a sense of urgency or panic by claiming your
account is about to expire, that you鈥檒l lose access to something, or that a package
is undelivered. These tactics are designed to make you act quickly without thinking.
- Know the Sender: Just because an email appears to come from someone you know doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 legitimate.
Cybercriminals can spoof addresses or use compromised accounts to send malicious messages.
Always verify any unusual requests, even if the email appears to come from a familiar
name.
- Change of Venue: Be cautious of messages that ask you to switch the conversation to text messages.
These are often scams. It might start with 鈥淎re you free?鈥 and appear to come from
someone you know, but once they move the conversation to text, it鈥檚 easier for them
to avoid our security measures. If in doubt, verify directly with the person through
a trusted method.
If you ever receive a suspicious email or encounter a questionable link, please report
it to us immediately at helpdesk@gram.edu. Your vigilance is critical to protecting
not only your personal information but also our entire organization鈥檚 security.
Each of you is an essential part of keeping our digital environment secure. Together,
we can prevent cyber threats and ensure a safe, productive workspace. Stay vigilant,
stay informed, and remember鈥攌nowledge is our strongest defense against these attacks.
