As events continue to unfold in Iran, we want to share a few simple steps to help keep you and the University safe.
As events continue to unfold in Iran, we want to make you aware of an increased risk to our campus community online and share a few simple steps to help keep you and the University safe.
During major world events, cybercriminals take advantage of public interest by creating fake news articles, urgent alerts, and social media posts designed to look legitimate. Clicking on these links can expose your device and University accounts to serious threats, including data theft and malware.
What to watch out for:
- Emails or social media posts with urgent, emotionally charged headlines about the conflict
- Links asking you to "read more" or "watch breaking video" from unfamiliar sources
- Messages that seem to come from news organizations but arrive unexpectedly or ask for your login credentials
- Shortened URLs or links that don't clearly show where they lead
What you can do right now:
- Go directly to trusted news sources. Instead of clicking links in emails or social media, open your browser and navigate directly to established news organizations (e.g., apnews.com, reuters.com, bbc.com).
- Think before you click. If a headline feels designed to provoke an immediate reaction, pause and verify the source first.
- Don't enter your University credentials anywhere unexpected. No news site or external service should ever ask for your campus username and password.
- Report anything suspicious. If you receive a suspicious email to your University account, please report it using the “Phish Alert" button in your email client or forward it to CITS Security and Compliance.
Universities are frequently targeted during geopolitical events because of our open, information-sharing culture. A moment of caution can make a significant difference.
If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to CITS Security and Compliance.