This is how you can prevent cybercrime

With cybercrime such as phishing, spoofing and malware installs a constant risk, students are concerned about possible cyberattacks, especially as they still need to rely on electronic devices to attend classes in a hybrid environment.

Potchefstroom campus IT walk-in manager, Anton Barnardo, said, “the university faces hacking attempts on a daily basis. Hackers always want to find a way to get into the school system to steal information. We make sure that systems are secure enough because if hackers gain access to them, it puts students and employees’ devices at risk.”

Barnardo identified a number of ways students and employees can protect themselves.

Firstly, keep in mind that educational institutions would never ask for personal information, such as user passwords, on any platform other than the university’s secure website. Secondly, he highlights the importance of people updating their anti-virus software. This is to keep malware from invading the system. Thirdly, he emphasises the importance of users being aware of unsafe websites. He said that these sites will not have a padlock sign or a verification mark next to the hyperlink. 

He also advised online users to maintain password security and use strong passwords. “This makes it difficult for hackers to intrude and gain accessibility.”

Chantel MacFarlane (18), first-year student in BA humanities with psychology, said, “as a first-year student, I don’t have much knowledge about online material so it is difficult navigating around online sites and attending classes online. I fear falling victim to hackers”.

Other students also raised concerns about the possibility of cyberattacks. Nkosinathi Mahlangu (24), second-year student studying BCom Law said, “I don’t have much knowledge of cyberattacks, however, I try to avoid websites that are not secured. I don’t open suspicious links and I use disposable emails when signing into anything that isn’t school related”.

In a report issued by the cybersecurity company KHIPU Networks, North West University’s business analyst Géna Thompson said, “cybersecurity is a continual focus and priority for North-West University. One of the critical areas that we believe have helped increase our protection against cyberthreats is through ongoing user awareness. Training our staff and students on cybersecurity, ways to spot phishing emails, and knowing what to do if anything looks suspicious is vital in the defense against cyber attacks”.

The university contracted KHIPU Networks to provide students and employees with cybersecurity awareness training. This training focuses specifically on phishing to help students and employees navigate the online digital environment. Training is not only aimed at benefiting the North-West University to raise awareness, but to also help students and employees keep safe while working from home. 

Through this training, users will be empowered to identify phishing emails and know how to protect themselves. The training provided is a short online course that takes about 30 minutes to complete, in which users can gain access through the university’s website. http://services.nwu.ac.za/cyber-security/required-cybersecurity-phishing-training-students