ÃÛÌÒAV

The higher education sector has recently seen anotherÌýsurge in cyber-attacksÌýwith the National Cyber Security CentreÌý.ÌýÃÛÌÒAV has also seen aÌýlarge increase in the number ofÌýscam emailsÌýtargeting ÃÛÌÒAV email addresses, with overÌý15,500 scam emailsÌýreceived in March alone.ÌýÌý

It’s more important than ever forÌýbothÌýÃÛÌÒAV, 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 ÃÛÌÒAV 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 ÃÛÌÒAV 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