October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an international initiative designed to empower individuals to take proactive steps to protect their online security. This year, the theme is “Secure Our World,” emphasizing the importance of safeguarding our personal data and digital interactions amid increasing cyber threats. York is excited to support this global effort in partnership with CUNY, US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA).
This Week 3 is focused on “Recognizing and Reporting Phishing.”
Stay alert for unexpected messages requesting personal information. Refrain from sharing personal or sensitive information like bank account numbers, social security numbers, or student IDs, with unfamiliar sources. If you encounter phishing attempts, report them and delete the message. Always be cautious and take a moment to assess before clicking on links or attachments.
Recognizing and Reporting Phishing Resources:
- Learn how to Recognize and Report Phishing on the National Cybersecurity Awareness Alliance site
- Secure Our World: Phishing Tip Sheet (CISA)
- How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams (Federal Trade Commission)
Helpful Cybersecurity Tips:
- Pause Before Clicking: Take a few seconds to verify if the email is legitimate before clicking any links or attachments
- Watch for Urgent or Alarming Language: Be cautious of emails pressuring you to act quickly or making threatening demands
- Check for Spelling and Grammar Errors: Phishing emails often contain mistakes or poorly written content
- Verify the Sender’s Email Address: Look closely at the sender’s email for minor misspellings or unusual domain names
- Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Legitimate companies won’t ask for sensitive details via email–ignore such requests
For additional Security Awareness resources go to: Awareness
To report suspicious emails or spam use the yellow banner address that accompanies all emails originating outside of CUNY at reportspam@PROTECTED for other online or browsing threats contact our Service Desk at helpdesk@PROTECTED.
Additional references: US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
If you have any questions about any of this information, please contact Kazi Islam kislam@PROTECTED our Information Security Manager
YorkIT