Beware of phishing attempts and staying safe online

Think before you Click!

With the worsening situation in Ukraine, we are seeing increased activity on our firewalls and large volumes of traffic originating from the region. There has also been a marked increase in phishing emails and social media messages from a variety of sources. Remember that criminals will also use periods of uncertainty like this to also further their aims.

It is important to remain vigilant when you receive emails and social media messages, especially with links or attachments.

• Does the email or message look legitimate? Sometimes phishing emails can look very authentic and have a recognizable brand appearance.
• Is there a sense of urgency to the message? Often criminals are trying to get you to react quickly without thinking.
• Does the email address look suspicious? Often the displayed name is spoofed to look legitimate but hovering over it or checking the real address will show it contains a spelling mistake or comes from a different address.
• Is the link in the message suspicious? If you hover over the link, you'll see the destination. Websites that are safe to enter personal information into begin with an https://. "s" stands for secure.

We have created a short video that helps you spot a phishing attempt and what to do.

IT Security - Phishing Awareness (uhi.ac.uk)

Being careful online is as applicable in your private life. Please pass on this advice and support your family and friends.

If anyone is unsure about a message they have received or notices anything untoward, please contact the ServiceDesk (servicedesk@uhi.ac.uk) and we’ll investigate it.

Additionally, explore our Cyber Security News page for the latest updates and information on security matters related to UHI.