Malicious actors do not go on Christmas vacation
Many, including the National Security Authority, warn that threats to many sectors, also the higher education sector, are expected to increase this Christmas. Several cyber attacks are expected to be carried out. This means that it is important that all IT users contribute by being vigilant.
Beware of fake e-mails
As in previous years, this year there is an increase in the amount of fake e-mails and phishing in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Many people are waiting for parcels, and many receive e-mails pretending to be from the Postal Service or various parcel companies. They typically want you to pay a fake fee to get the parcel released from customs or similar. We also see an increase in e-mails with untrue allegations that someone has hacked the computer, and that you have been filmed while watching porn.
As always, the general advice applies:
Be wary of links and attachments in emails.
- Check where the links point by holding the mouse pointer over the link.
- Make sure you do not click on links that do not lead to the right place.
- Do not click to open attachments from unknown senders
This year, it is especially important to be aware of three types of scams:
- Fake emails and text messages about postal packages.
- Fake e-mails pretending to be from colleagues, most often from managers.
- Fake e-mails that pretend to be from a supplier, often about changes in a payment or invoice.
This video gives you a few tricks to detect fake e-mails. Choose English subtitles in the version on YouTube.
Be safe at Christmas - give some care to the home machine
Feel free to spend some time at Christmas, between the marzipan and the mulled wine, to clean some computers and home networks. If you are at home with relatives and friends, you may be able to help with this, so everyone is better equipped when the new year starts.
Check that the operating system has turned on automatic updates.
Check that the home router has an updated version of the software.
Are there documents on the home computer that should be on UiO?
Does the home network or router have an old or bad password?
Remove old programs that are no longer used.
Have you turned on backup of important documents and files?
Are you going to connect equipment on the home network that should perhaps use a separate guest network?
- Check that the operating system has turned on automatic updates.
- Check that the home router has an updated version of the software.
- Are there documents on the home computer that should be on UiO?
- Does the home network or router have an old or bad password?
- Remove old programs that are no longer used.
- Have you turned on backup of important documents and files?
- Consider setting up a guest network for less safe equipment and gusets.
Pelase feel free to tell friends and colleagues about this!
Contact UiO-CERT if you have questions.
