Every day, cybercriminals send billions of fraudulent messages around the world. Many are ignored, but it only takes one successful click for an attacker to gain access to an account, steal personal information, or compromise an organization's systems.
For colleges and universities, phishing remains one of the most common causes of cybersecurity incidents. Students, faculty, and staff all face unique risks, making awareness and vigilance among the entire University community critical.
The good news is that most phishing attacks can be prevented by recognizing common warning signs and taking a few moments to verify unexpected requests.
What Is Phishing?
Phishing occurs when someone attempts to trick you into revealing information, opening a malicious attachment, clicking a dangerous link, or taking an action that benefits an attacker.
Traditionally, phishing arrived in the form of suspicious emails claiming to be from a bank, government agency, or technology company. Today's attacks are much more sophisticated.
Attackers now routinely use:
- Text messages (often called "smishing")
- Phone calls ("vishing")
- Social media platforms
- QR codes
- Fake websites
- Artificial intelligence-generated messages
Some phishing emails are so convincing that they can appear to come from colleagues, professors, supervisors, vendors, or fellow students.
Cybercriminals understand human behavior. Rather than trying to break through technical security controls, they often try to persuade someone to willingly open the door.
Why Universities Are Attractive Targets
Universities are uniquely challenging environments from a cybersecurity perspective.
Thousands of students, faculty, researchers, health care professionals, staff members, and external partners interact every day. Information is constantly being exchanged across multiple systems, departments, and institutions.
Higher education environments also support:
- Financial aid transactions
- Payroll operations
- Research activities
- Health care services
- International collaboration
- Student housing and enrollment services
This creates opportunities for attackers to craft convincing messages that target specific groups.
- A student may receive a fake message regarding tuition payments.
- A faculty member may receive a fraudulent research collaboration request.
- An employee may be sent a bogus payroll update notification.
The attacker does not need to compromise an entire university. Successfully deceiving a single individual can be enough to gain a foothold.
How Modern Phishing Works
Many people still imagine phishing emails filled with spelling errors and obvious scams.
While those messages still exist, modern phishing campaigns often look entirely legitimate.
Attackers frequently gather information from publicly available sources, including social media profiles, university websites, conference programs, professional networking platforms, and public directories.
Using this information, they personalize messages to make them seem authentic.
For example, an attacker might know:
- Your job title
- Your department
- Your supervisor's name
- An upcoming conference you are attending
- A research project you are involved with
Artificial intelligence has made these attacks even more convincing by helping generate professional language that appears natural and personalized.
In many cases, the technical quality of a phishing message is no longer the giveaway. Instead, users must focus on the requested action and whether it makes sense.
Red Flags to Watch For
Although phishing attacks continue to evolve, certain warning signs remain common.
Be cautious when a message creates urgency or attackers want you to act before you think.
Examples include:
- "Your account will be suspended today."
- "Immediate action required."
- "Payment must be completed within one hour."
Legitimate organizations rarely demand immediate action without providing alternative ways to verify the request.
Requests Sensitive Information
No legitimate university department should ask for your password by email.
Be suspicious of requests involving:
- Passwords
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes
- Banking information
- Social Security numbers
- Personal data
Uses Unexpected Attachments or Links
If you receive an unexpected document, invoice, or shared file, verify it before opening.
When in doubt:
- Contact the sender through another method.
- Use known contact information.
- Do not rely solely on replying to the message.
Contains QR Codes
QR code phishing attacks have increased significantly in recent years. Because QR codes hide the destination website, users cannot easily determine where they are being directed. If a QR code appears unexpectedly, take additional time to verify its source.
Protect Yourself with the Pause Principle
One of the most effective cybersecurity habits is simple:
Pause before you act.
When you receive an unexpected request:
- Stop.
- Read the message carefully.
- Consider whether the request is reasonable.
- Verify the sender.
- Confirm any unusual requests through another communication channel.
A brief pause often provides enough time to recognize a scam.
Cybercriminals depend on speed and emotion. Awareness disrupts both.
What to Do If You Think You Clicked
Mistakes happen. Even experienced cybersecurity professionals occasionally interact with suspicious messages.
The most important thing is to act quickly.
If you believe you have done any of the following, you should immediately report the incident to your campus IT support or CITS Security & Compliance:
- Clicked a suspicious link
- Entered your password into a questionable website
- Opened a malicious attachment
- Approved an unexpected MFA request
Prompt reporting allows security teams to investigate and potentially limit damage before attackers can expand their access. Early notification can be the difference between a small incident and a major compromise.
Cybersecurity Is a Shared Responsibility
Information security is not solely the responsibility of IT professionals.
Every member of the University community plays an important role in protecting institutional information, research, health care data, financial records, and personal information.
Most cyberattacks begin with a human interaction. Fortunately, most can also be stopped by a human decision.
By slowing down, questioning unexpected requests, and reporting suspicious activity, every member of our campus community helps strengthen our collective security.
Quick Tips
Before responding to an unexpected message:
- Verify the sender
- Be cautious of urgent requests
- Never share passwords or MFA codes
- Avoid opening unexpected attachments
- Confirm sensitive requests through another channel
- Report suspicious messages promptly
Bottom Line
Technology continues to evolve, and phishing attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Yet the most effective defense remains unchanged: a thoughtful, informed user who takes a moment to verify before acting.
Stop. Verify. Then Click.