Together, we can create a safer digital environment for everyone at the university. Emails continue to be one of the most common ways for fraudsters to gain access to an organisation’s systems and data. Many of our colleagues are great at spotting suspicious messages and alerting the IT Service Desk for investigation. Thank you for helping us stay safe online.
Follow these 6 tips
1. Stop and think
Scams and phishing messages rely on you clicking, replying or entering information without checking first. If you are unsure, don't do it until you have confirmed the message is genuine. This 8 minute video covers how to recognise the signs of a potential phishing scam, so you can critically assess emails to make sure they’re legitimate.
2. Check twice, click once
If you have any doubts about a communication, check with the sender or IT Service Desk to confirm it is genuine before clicking on links or acting on requests. Fraudsters use public information about our staff to impersonate them, check email addresses as well as display names and be suspicious of messages from colleagues which are flagged as coming from outside the university.
3. Be suspicious
Be suspicious of messages informing you of an issue with your device that needs attention. Neither the university IT Service Desk, nor your Internet Service Provider will contact you to fix an issue unless you've logged a call. The university will not introduce a new IT solution or process unless it has first been communicated through official channels, such as an update on Viva Engage or an article on Staff News.
4. Always stay security aware
Even when you're not studying or working. Hoaxers don't care how they get through to you. Be aware of emails, text messages, or websites that look too good to be true or seem suspicious. For example, WhatsApp have released guidance on hoax messages. Make sure you approach QR codes within emails with caution.
5. Think about what you send too
Remember to always check your messages before you press send – are you sending it to the correct recipients?
6. Report suspicious messages
If you receive a suspicious email, do not click on any of the links or attachments. Use the Microsoft Report Message add-in for Outlook to notify IT Service Desk. You no longer need to manually forward the email to the IT Service Desk. By reporting suspicious emails, you help us investigate potentially dangerous messages, improve our email protection, and take action to keep our community safe.
Find out more on our Information Security page
Our teams work hard to make sure our systems are as safe as they can be. For information about how we do this, and how you can help, please visit our Information Security page.
