As school begins on campuses nationwide, criminals turn their attention to scams targeting students who are busy preparing for the upcoming semester. Criminals frequently rely on timely topics and strategies to exploit their victims. Below, you will find examples of real scam emails reported to our team within the last month. As we all gear […]
Greg Whipple, Information Security Analyst III, is new to the Digital Forensics and Incident Response Team. In his role, Greg will perform forensic analysis of log data to further investigations into potential system compromises. Greg will also recommend ways to improve our processes and tools. Greg started his journey in information security with the US […]
The OIS is always looking for ways to improve your security and reward your participation in our efforts. This month, we want to point you toward a couple of resources that will help you protect yourself from cybercrime and understand how our office can support you. Guidance for Reporting Phishing Have you seen the Phish […]
CIS WorkBench is a resource where IT staff at Washington University in St. Louis can view CIS Benchmarks (Center for Information Security Benchmarks). These benchmarks are configuration standards and best practices for hardening digital assets; therefore, they help determine how to harden legacy systems.Here is how you can create your account with CIS WorkBench: 3. […]
Letter from the CISO, Vol 2 Issue 2 Washington University Community: Why Do Cars Have Brakes? Why do cars have brakes? The obvious answer is that it helps them slow down and stop. The “real” counter-intuitive reason is that brakes let cars go fast. Imagine the panic and fear of being in a car that […]
Identity theft is nothing new. The term itself dates back to 1964 – a time exclusive to physical theft of documents like social security cards, credit cards, and driver’s licenses. These days, much of our personal information is on the internet. Due to the pandemic’s restrictions, more people used the internet for activities they would […]
The Information Security Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) team, led by Assistant Director, Denise Woodward, handles many types of security-related requests from the WashU community. When researchers need a security review of the tools they’re using for a study, when a department wants to adopt new technology, or when someone requires a specialized solution for […]
Quick Response Codes (QR codes) are increasingly popular, especially since most people no longer need a third-party app to scan them. During the Super Bowl last year, cryptocurrency company Coinbase spent millions of dollars on an ad that simply featured a QR code displayed on the screen. That ad became one of the most talked […]
Overview The WashU Information Security team is actively engaged in keeping our network and data safe. Through the Security Vulnerabilities Project, one of the team’s main objectives is to expand server protection throughout WashU. Why A recent serious security incident was detected early because a server had the WashU Falcon CrowdStrike sensor installed. Due to […]
The OIS is always looking for ways to improve your security and reward your participation in our efforts. This month, we want to point you towards a couple of resources that will help you protect yourself from cybercrime and understand how our office can support you. Guidance for Reporting Phishing Have you seen the Phish […]
Over the next several months, the Office of Information Security will conduct a Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and Risk Assessments (RA) on 24 important and critical applications. The BIA is essential to building an effective framework for a Business Continuity Plan. The goal of the BIA is to identify critical functions of the organization and […]
The Office of Information Security has observed a trend where criminals are sending fraudulent invoices to unsuspecting victims in hopes that they will be paid without the recipient noting that they are part of a scam. The tricky part of this particular scam is that the invoices are actually generated by payment handlers like PayPal. […]
Brett McFadden, Information Security Analyst II, originally wanted to be a website designer. After taking a few classes in web development, he concluded that CSS – a style sheet language used by effective web developers – can only be understood by “wizards.” After consulting with a friend, Brett decided to investigate the cybersecurity program at […]
Letter from the CISO, Vol 2 Issue 1 Washington University Community: Who’s responsible for Information Security at WashU? It seems like an odd question for me to ask since I’m the Chief Information Security Officer, but I ask it anyway. I know information security is my responsibility. Or, at least, it’s usually the person in […]
Many in the WashU community will travel this summer, visiting friends and family, taking vacations, attending classes and summer programs, staking out new study abroad opportunities, conducting research, or meeting with colleagues. The long days of summer ahead provide time to rest, relax, and recharge while also renewing professional and academic pursuits through research, collaboration, […]
Your mobile phone number may be pivotal for accessing your most important accounts. Many banks, brokers, businesses, and payment service providers rely on text messaging to verify your identity when you access or update your account. Sometimes, a login screen will offer users a choice between text messages or phone calls to verify their identity. […]
The OIS is always looking for ways to improve your security and reward your participation in our efforts. This month, we want to point you towards a couple of resources that will help you protect yourself at home and while traveling. Guidance for Reporting Phishing Have you seen the Phish Alert Button? It’s the easiest […]
A joint Information Technology and Office of Information Security vulnerability management project aims to strengthen and better protect the WashU network from attacks. The project has two main objectives: Install CrowdStrike on all Wash U servers immediately. Remediate tool-evaluated critical vulnerabilities, guiding department owners through updates, patches, and other steps. About Objective 1 WashU IT […]
This month’s scam is a recent and widespread phishing attack that attempted to use social engineering and impersonation to gain account access. If you see a message like the one below, please report it immediately using the Phish Alert Button (PAB) in your Outlook interface. You can find more information about the PAB and alternative […]
Clark Huskey, Information Security Analyst III, started his journey in information security as an amateur radio broadcaster. In his youth, Clark tinkered with personal computers and radio broadcasting equipment. Specifically, his family used citizen band radios with a large antenna to broadcast their own bulletin board service, Silver Fox BBS, until someone hacked their broadcast. […]
Website Scavenger Hunt Ends Soon (Win $250) Please take some time to visit our website scavenger hunt for a chance to win $250 in Bear Bucks if you haven’t already. This competition ends tomorrow at midnight, so get your entry in soon to learn about some key resources and secure your chance to win. Chance […]
A recent SMiShing scam targeted our institution by impersonating Chancellor Martin and asking recipients for gift cards. You can rest assured that the chancellor (or your supervisor) will not reach out to ask for gift cards. SMiShing is a type of attack that uses the social engineering tactics commonly associated with email phishing via text […]
Letter from the CISO, Vol 1 Issue 12 Washington University Community: Do you know the differences between phishing, spear-phishing, and whaling? Let’s start with the difference between phishing and spear phishing. In short, phishing messages are those all-too-familiar messages that try to get you to give away information or install malware. They arrive via email, […]
The Office of Resource Management (ORM) plays an essential part in our day-to-day lives and operations at WashU. The office, home to more than 20 staff members, encompasses the departments of Purchasing Services, Furniture and Design, and Supplier Diversity and Mail Services. People from every department and role in the university community interact with the […]
The Office of Information Security’s website is full of helpful resources and information for keeping you more secure online. To encourage you to become more familiar with what our website has to offer, the OIS office is holding a virtual scavenger hunt featuring a chance to win $250 in Bear Bucks! How to Participate Follow […]
The unfamiliarity and confusion surrounding cryptocurrency make it easier for cybercriminals to prey on their victims. Before explaining how a cybercriminal can exploit people for cryptocurrency, it helps to have a basic understanding of the technology. Bitcoin is one form of cryptocurrency in the same way that the Euro is one form of government-issued currency. […]
This month’s scam is a recent and widespread phishing attack that attempted to use social engineering and impersonation to gain account access. This one is particularly tricky, but it uses a very common set of steps that criminals deploy to steal account credentials. The user receives the suspicious email, in this case from an ‘@wustl’ […]
David Puzder is our newest information security team member. David hails from Ohio and is a recent graduate of the University of Dayton. He splits his time as an Information Security Analyst between Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) and Information Security Awareness, Behavior, and Culture. With the GRC, he will identify internal and third-party risks […]
Phishing is the most common tactic cybercriminals use to steal login credentials, data, and intellectual property. Billions of these messages are sent every day, but it’s now easier than ever to protect yourself and WashU by helping the Office of Information Security (OIS) catch the phish and remove it from our system. The Phish Alert […]
Letter from the CISO, Vol 1 Issue 11 Washington University Community: There are only two things to worry about—that things will never get back to normal, or . . . that they already have. In other words, the only constant in life is change, and Information Security is no exception. I sometimes worry that I […]
You’ve undoubtedly heard the term “supply chain disruption” more times than you can count lately. The past few years have been fraught with disruptions—labor shortages caused by COVID-19, warfare, tropical storms and wildfires, factory fires, railroad transportation disruptions, and the six-day blockage of the Suez Canal. We’ve endured incredible upheavals, and many of these ultimately […]
By Harrison Stites As members of our community graduate or otherwise move on from their time at WashU, it can be tempting to ignore or put off the things you need to do here as you look forward to the path ahead. WashU’s Office of Information Security offers you some tips and tricks to help […]
The OIS is always looking for ways to improve your security and reward your participation in our efforts. This month, we want to point you towards a couple of resources that will help us identify and report potential phishing attacks. Have you seen the Phish Alert Button? It’s the easiest way for you to report […]
This month, we’re focusing on a particularly tricky scam. This one isn’t tricky because it’s complex on its surface; it actually relies on simplicity and brevity to lure in its victims. This scam mimics an important notification to trick recipients into handing over sensitive login information. It contains many hallmarks of a typical phish, but […]
Jason Murray, Assistant Director and Architect of Digital Forensics and Incident Response, describes his role as the leader of “a team of talented Security Analysts who defend the university from cyber villains.” Throughout his career, he’s subscribed to the design principle, “build it secure,” considering the methods hackers might use to exploit flaws and access […]
Letter from the CISO, Vol 1 Issue 10 Washington University Community: This month I’m going to bore you with another really basic idea: that everyone needs to manage their devices. I can almost hear you yawning when I write those words, but it’s essential and not quite as easy as you might think. Step 1: […]
Spring has arrived, and with it, the age-old tradition of spring cleaning. Getting organized, cleaning up your computer, and checking on your security hygiene will make your life easier as you approach the end-of-semester push toward summer adventures! As you clear away the cobwebs and shake off the dust of winter, also remember to clean […]
The OIS is always looking for ways to improve your security and reward your participation in our efforts. This month, we’re introducing new security features in Office 365 and running another prize competition! March Prize Giveaway We had a great turnout for our February Information Security prize giveaway, so we’re doing it again this month! […]
This month, we’re focusing on another scam that preys on your emotions and altruistic intentions. This time, it involves cybercriminals taking advantage of fundraising for Ukraine. In just one week, legitimate fundraising for Ukraine mobilized more than $50 million in cryptocurrency. That kind of success always attracts opportunists who want their cut. This time, they’re […]
For the past three years, Quint Smith, Information Security Training and Communications Manager, has been building and managing the InfoSec marketing, communications, and culture program. He aims to encourage an informed, aware, and empowered user community, resilient to the continually evolving cyber threat landscape. He says, “information security is an arms race, and technical defenses […]
On Tuesday, March 22 and Tuesday, March 29, the Operations & Facilities Management Department, the Office of Sustainability, and WashU’s Office of Information Security are teaming up to bring the WashU community e-waste recycling and confidential paper shredding services. All are welcome to bring accepted items to the collection drive. All confidential papers and hard […]
The threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks increasingly accompanies international relations. Russia has developed and demonstrated its capacity to attack and inflict damage using cyber-warfare tactics. With news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many cybersecurity professionals are recommending increased vigilance during this period of unrest. While much of the responsibility for anticipating and preventing cyberattacks of this […]
Letter from the CISO, Vol 1 Issue 9 Washington University Community: This month I’d like to warn you about dangerous applications and Internet services, and four things you can do to avoid problems. Many experts focus on iPhone/iPad/iOS and Android devices, but PC and Macs are also vulnerable to malicious applications, so I’ll speak about […]
Spring Break is on the horizon, and many in the WashU community plan to travel for conferences, study away, research opportunities, and maybe even a little rest and relaxation! Smartphones and other digital devices are an integral part of our everyday lives, and they can make travel seem like a blissful dream. Helpful capabilities—your digital […]
By now, we’re all intimately familiar with the benefits and drawbacks of working from home. You may have been working from home for most of the pandemic, are a hybrid employee, or simply take your work or devices home for breaks and weekends. Whatever your unique situation, you probably have direct experience walking the increasingly […]
The results of our 2021 Cybersecurity Awareness Month competitions are in! Our office has selected seven lucky winners. If you’re a winner, we will contact you at your WUSTL email address to request the information we need to deliver your award. If you didn’t win this time, don’t despair! Read on for information about future […]
Attackers are using criminal Gmail accounts to target members of our institution with a phishing scam that involves requesting the recipient call a phone number for additional information. The attackers use dozens of Gmail accounts, using each account to target only one or a few users and modifying minor details to avoid detection. As a […]
Bob Therina, Information Security Analyst II, came to Information Security after training and working in Computer Technology and the IT-sphere more broadly. He humbly reports that he sees himself as a generalist rather than an expert, capable of working across the IT space, building bridges between colleagues with deep expertise in a variety of areas. […]
Letter from the CISO, Vol 1 Issue 8 Washington University Community: This is the National Cybersecurity Alliance’s Data Privacy Week (https://staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-week/), and because security is closely related to privacy, I thought I’d say a few things about it. The “right to privacy” was defined by Justice Louis Brandeis in an 1890 article as the right […]
Your research data and intellectual property are valuable, not only in the pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of society but also to cybercriminals who seek to steal it or hold it for ransom. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation , intellectual property theft is a growing threat in the digital era, and much […]