The TTU IT Division reviews IT Security information daily from several state and national security monitoring organizations that provide timely updates on Internet related threats. The information below is based on a recent communication from the Center for Internet Security, and provides information security advice regarding world events.
The Center for Internet Security (CIS) is currently monitoring the following world events:
- Israel-HAMAS/Palestinian conflict
- Russian/Ukrainian conflict
- Malaysia Airlines flight MH17
- Air Algerie flight MD-83
- Potential terrorist attack in Norway
Such international events frequently generate heightened news media coverage, and often result in malicious websites purporting to contain information or pictures, but utilized to deliver malware. Spam email campaigns often exploit these events as well, in an attempt to infect victims with malware or steal their credentials. Hacktivists and other malicious cyber actors have already leveraged some of these world events to commit malicious cyber activity.
At this point, we are not aware of attempts to target U.S. state or local governments or higher education institutions. However, we advise TTU faculty, staff, and students to be aware that these malicious campaigns exist and have the potential to spread malware, compromise computer accounts, deface websites, or cause other harm.
The following safe computing practices help protect you and Texas Tech from the growing number of computer and Internet-based threats:
- Recognize and do not open suspicious emails, including; spam and phishing emails, attachments, or email coming from unknown sources;
- Do not click on links contained in an email, unless you are expecting the link or it is from a trusted source;
- Do not respond to social networking posts from untrusted sources;
- Use different passwords for each Internet website that requires a username and password;
- Use current antivirus, anti-spyware, and anti-adware;
- Enable the firewall on your computer or end point protection software and;
- Keep your computer protected using its automatic update features.
For more information regarding safe computing practices, visit http://safecomputing.ttu.edu. For further assistance, contact IT Help Central, ithelpcentral@ttu.edu, (806) 742-4357 (HELP).
