December is here again, and while we’re busy with holiday cheer, finals, and festivities, cybercriminals are busy upgrading their toolkits. As the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Chapman, my goal is to keep our community safe online throughout the season. Last year, we met Scammer Claus—the holiday trickster who lured victims with fake emails and festive scams. This year, Scammer Claus has
On Thanksgiving Eve, while the rest of Plymouth Rock Institute of Technology (PRIT) was bustling with students heading home and staff shutting down their offices, one employee lingered at their desk, catching up on emails. Among the usual clutter sat a message with the cheerful subject line: “Happy Thanksgiving!” It looked harmless enough, festive, even.
Cybercriminals are constantly refining their tactics, and phishing remains the most prevalent and dangerous form of social engineering. With the rise of AI, these attacks are becoming more convincing, harder to detect, and increasingly personalized. We would like to share some tips on how to detect and report the most prevalent phishing emails and scams.
Operating system and software updates are more than just routine maintenance—they’re your device’s first line of defense. While they often improve performance and introduce new features, their vital role is patching vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit. By regularly updating your apps and operating systems, you reduce your exposure to threats and ensure your technology runs
Every account is a potential target for cyber threats, from campus portals to personal email and social media. That’s why enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) across university systems and personal devices is a smart, proactive step toward protecting your data. What is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)? Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), also known as Multifactor Authentication (MFA), adds an
Passwords are the keys to our digital lives. From class registration and email accounts to banking and social media, every online service requires them. Unfortunately, weak or reused passwords remain one of the biggest reasons for compromised accounts. With so many data breaches, stale, old passwords are prime material for the hackers lurking in the
The Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) team is excited to kick things off with this year’s theme: Staying Safe Online. Throughout October, we’ll be sharing a series of informative blog posts and social media content—each designed to help you protect your digital life with confidence and ease. Here’s a glimpse of what we will share
In today’s digital age, personal digital security is not just an individual responsibility but a collective one. At Chapman University, we understand that the security of our digital infrastructure is intrinsically linked to the security practices of each member of our community. When individuals protect their digital environments, they contribute to the overall security of
Cybercriminals are getting bolder, and few groups have gained as much notoriety as Scattered Spider. Known for their clever social engineering and relentless tactics, these hackers have been using email bombing (a flood of junk messages designed to overwhelm an inbox) as the first domino in a chain of attacks that ends with full control of a
As we usher in a new academic year at Chapman University, I want to take a moment to address our community about some of the key cybersecurity trends we’re closely monitoring—and the steps we’re taking to keep our campus secure. Understanding Today’s Threat Landscape Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and higher education institutions like ours