The University of Ottawa, aligned with the Government of Canada, has prepared an anti-phishing campaign for October 2022. All month long, we are educating the community on detecting phishing emails/messages, preventing cyber security attacks, and what to do if you get phished.
It doesn’t matter how much technology you use in your daily life. Anyone can be a victim of phishing.
Technology and online interactions are at the centre of our lives both at work and at home. We send and receive messages and calls through online platforms, we store our photos and personal data on computers which are connected to internet, even work documents are often prepared and shared using online links. This dependency on online resources can leave us more vulnerable to cybercriminal attacks. The key to better protecting yourself is to increase your knowledge of cybersecurity.
Recognize the #1 sign of phishing: creating urgency
Rushing somebody to do something in a limited time is a strong sign of a phishing attack. This should raise a red flag for you to evaluate the message. You may contact the sender directly by a different communication channel for confirmation if ever you’re unsure if the message is authentic.
You can go the extra mile by reporting malicious emails received in your uOttawa email by using the “Report Message” button in Microsoft Outlook. Please keep it in mind that you should never click on links in emails and messages you do not fully trust. Rest assured that the University of Ottawa and other major institutions will never ask you to provide personal information via email.
To keep our data safe and secure, and to protect our personal information, we need to be very cautious when it comes to clicking on links in emails.
You can find further information on how to detect and prevent a phishing attack, and useful tips on the Government of Canada's website.