Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 Week 3

Today marks the third week of Cybersecurity Awareness Month!  

This week, we will be discussing Phishing Scams and Safe Browsing Practices 

Phishing Scams are one of the most common forms of cyberattacks, where attackers trick individuals into revealing sensitive information (Passwords, Credit Card Numbers) for bad intent.  

• Common Signs of Phishing 

  • Emails with urgent language (Please complete ASAP, your account will be locked!) 

  • Suspicious Links or Attachments 

  • Unusual request for sensitive information 

• Real Life Examples of Phishing 

  • Fake Login pages that mimic an email provider 

  • Emails from coworkers asking for money or sensitive information 

To avoid falling for phishing scams, it is essential to practice safe browsing habits. 

• Verify Website Security 

  • Look for “https” in the URL, or a padlock icon when entering a website 

• Avoid clicking suspicious links 

  • Hover over links to ensure they lead to intended/legitimate websites 

• Stay Alert 

  • When in doubt, don't click on weird links from emails. Instead, contact SUNY Cobleskill ITS Information Security. We are always here to check for you. No legitimacy check is too small! 

Remember, not applying these practices can leave your account unsafe. Attackers having access to your account can lead to other documents being leaked and affecting other students/staff. Below is a link to more information on Phishing Scams and Safe Browsing Habits:

https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/stay-safe-and-secure-online-during-cybersecurity-awareness-month-and-all-year

With these tips, you should be able to prevent yourself from being vulnerable to attackers. Thank you for keeping SUNY Cobleskill Cyber-safe!