Stop – think – click: Keep your information secure with these simple tips
AU fights off hacking attempts every day. Cybercriminals’ tactics are getting harder to spot, but you can make a difference by staying critical of what you see online and in your emails. Stop and think before you click.
Have you ever received an email, supposedly from your boss, asking you to do something urgently – but the wording just seems a bit off? There is reason to be suspicious.
Phishing attempts are on the rise. They are also becoming more advanced, which means they can appear both credible and relevant to your job. That’s why it’s important that all members of staff at AU are extra vigilant when online or replying to emails and messages – even if they appear to come from a colleague, a manager or a collaboration partner.
As you’re walking around campus over the next few weeks, you’ll notice campaign posters with the message: Stop – think – click. You may even see this message in your manager’s email signature or on stress balls in communal areas in your unit. The campaign is designed to help you avoid phishing traps.
Stop
Cybercriminals often try to create a sense of urgency or play on a concern you may have. So stop, and don't react immediately, even if you are encouraged to do so.
Think
Is it possible the sender isn’t who they claim to be? Is this an enquiry you didn’t expect to receive? Are you being asked to click on links or provide login information? Then there’s a reason to be vigilant.
Click
Only click on links and open attachments if you are absolutely sure the request is credible. If you have any doubts, don’t click.
Head of Information Security: Phishing is one of our greatest vulnerabilities
There is a good reason why AU is putting phishing in the spotlight again, explains Thomas Kaaber, Head of Information Security at AU.
“Sophisticated and highly realistic phishing attacks are one of the greatest vulnerabilities we have at AU today. Cybercriminals have become so skilled at crafting emails, making phone calls, or reaching their victims in other ways that it’s difficult to know what’s real and what isn’t – even for the experts. That's why we need everyone to stop and consider whether the requests they receive are genuine,” he says.
He goes on to explain that anyone can be scammed by cybercriminals, as these criminals are now using AI tools and targeting their attacks. This is why staying vigilant needs to become a central part of our daily reality at AU.
“Hackers have moved beyond the badly written emails with dubious-looking links. Now it’s just as likely they’ll call you posing as a salesperson to gain your trust,” says Thomas Kaaber.
“The campaign aims to make all students and staff more aware of cybercriminals’ attempts to access our data or harm AU in other ways. We hope it will also spark a dialogue across AU about the steps we can take in our daily professional lives to increase information security,” he concludes.
Find more tips for spotting phishing attempts at au.dk/nophishing