The Office of Information Security recently added several layers of phishing protection for our institution. We hope you have located, and perhaps even used, the new Phish Alert Button (PAB). Last week, our office distributed our first university-wide message from the KnowBe4 platform, asking users to report it as a phish using the PAB to […]
Tag: Information Security Bulletin
Security Advice from a Busy Student
By Jack Ballenger (Class of 2024) During these two weeks of virtual classes, students will need to use Duo Mobile, an app for two-factor authentication (2FA), to access Canvas, Outlook, WebStac, and other WashU resources since they are not connected to campus WiFi. Two-factor authentication, also called multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-step authentication, supplements your […]
How to Take Back Control of Your Data This Data Privacy Week
Adapted from The National Cybersecurity Alliance, January 2022 From social media to online shopping, our lives and the digital world become more intertwined every day. The digital world affords us a new level of convenience and access to information, but there may be a hidden cost to your privacy associated with these conveniences. Consumers must […]
Data Privacy Fast Facts
Adapted from National Cybersecurity Alliance In Case You Missed It Protecting the World’s Most Valuable ResourceWashington University Office of Information Security, December 2021
Scam of the Month: SMiShing and 3 Viruses Detected Scam
The Office of Information Security has received reports of a SMiShing campaign targeting people at our institution. SMiShing occurs when cybercriminals use tactics common to phishing campaigns in text messages, attempting to communicate legitimacy to their unsuspecting victim. The reported scam (pictured below) is a text-based version of a common and long-running scam that is […]
Meet Your InfoSec Team: Christina Pomianek-Smith, Policy and Risk Analyst
Information security involves solving complex problems, incorporating diverse perspectives to address the technical, legal, social, and behavioral dimensions of the digital era. Christina Pomianek-Smith’s recent move into information security demonstrates the multidisciplinary demands of the field. She is a cultural anthropologist by training (PhD, University of Missouri—Columbia, 2012), with research interests in trust, cooperation, and […]
Keeping Information Security Simple – Automagically update everything!
Washington University Community: Modern computers and mobile devices are so complex that they invariably have unintended flaws. Some of these flaws create vulnerabilities by which cybercriminals can attack your computer, tablet, or phone. In fact, these vulnerabilities are one of the most common ways devices are hacked. The good news is that it is surprisingly […]
It’s the Scam, Scamiest Season of All!
The holidays have arrived! These final weeks of the year are extremely busy for many of us. People are traveling, shopping, awaiting packages, making end-of-year-donations, and trying to put a pin in 2021. Cybercriminals know and await these frenzied times. They especially like seasons of heightened online shopping and financial transactions because impersonating a bank, […]
Protecting the World’s Most Valuable Resource
The refrain “knowledge is power” has been repeated around the world for centuries, from ancient Sanskrit proverbs to the theme song of the animated American educational series, School House Rock. The pursuit of knowledge is central to our university mission. The objective—use knowledge to empower individuals and communities for the betterment of society. Knowledge can […]
Best of: A Lookback at 2021
What a year! We’ve continued to adapt to new working environments, a return to campus, new technologies, and novel cyberthreats. The Office Information Security launched a monthly newsletter, ran university-wide competitions, and engaged the WashU community with a slate of events and communications for Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Once again, we are proud to be among […]
The Realities of Ransomware
By: Harrison Stites (class of 2022) Ransomware accounted for over 80 percent of the cybersecurity attacks in the education sector in 2020, according to the Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report. Healthcare organizations such as BJC (and, by extension, WashU) are significant targets for ransomware attacks because they work with Personal Health Information (PHI) and other […]
Scam of the Month: COVID Omicron Phishing
Security researchers are warning of an uptick in phishing attacks targeting universities themed around COVID, Omicron, and testing information. These attackers seek to steal valuable information and often have the goal of tricking users into handing over their university (or other) log-in credentials. Below, you will find an example of a phishing message using Omicron […]
Meet Your InfoSec Team: James Gagliarducci, Information Security Director
James Gagliarducci, Director of Information Security, an electrical engineer by training and a security whiz by experience and certification, started out designing radar systems for the Department of Defense. He joined WashU IT as a network engineer in the 90s. Remembering those days, James says, “I loved it.” When the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability […]
Keeping Information Security Simple – There’s no better feeling than recovering your lost device!
Washington University Community: Have you ever lost your phone, tablet, or computer? Or maybe just not been able to find it? Of course, you have (probably)! It happens all the time. Just last week, I had my dogs at a dog park, and as I was preparing to leave, about 250 pounds of playing dogs […]
Online Holiday Shopping Scams
Winter-holiday shopping of yesteryear kicked off with the deep discounts and early-bird specials of Black Friday, a retail frenzy on the day after Thanksgiving. Traditionally, shoppers forwent their post-feast dreams, waking early to await doorbuster sales at their favorite retailers. Today, shoppers avoid the crowd, line, and occasional brawl by shopping online. The move to […]
Last Chance for Prizes and Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2021 Recap
Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2021 is in the rearview mirror! This year, we set out on the Road to Cybersecurity together. We hosted several events, sent out weekly security tips, and published a great newsletter full of original content authored by WashU’s information security staff. Competitions Our Cybersecurity Awareness Month competitions are always popular. In 2020, […]
Easy Security with WUSTL ONE and WashU’s DocuSign
Last month, we published an article about a common tactic that uses fake DocuSign emails to trick users into handing over personal information. This month, we take a closer look at the process using WashU’s enterprise (i.e., university-provided) DocuSign service. When you receive a DocuSign request from a WashU sender, you will receive an email […]
Bonus Scam of the Month: Emotet Attachment Scam
The Information Security Office recently became aware of the reemergence of a malware distribution network previously taken down by law enforcement. This phishing email may look like a reply from a previous familiar email chain. This malicious phishing email uses three types of email attachments to install malware. These attachments include: Microsoft Excel spreadsheets Microsoft […]
Meet Your InfoSec Team: Michael Mayer, Information Security Analyst
Michael Mayer is an Information Security Analyst II working in Governance, Risk, and Compliance. This part of our office is a critical component of our information security posture. Michael cooperates with researchers and other university offices in support of safe and ethical research. He works with the Institutional Review Board to evaluate security requirements for […]
Scam of the Month: Direct Deposit Phishing Scam Impersonating University Leadership
Members of the WashU community are receiving phishing emails impersonating university leadership, including Chancellor Martin and Dean Perlmutter. These messages request changes to direct deposit information due to suspicious activity. Phishing scams often impersonate people in leadership positions to encourage a heightened sense of urgency in the recipient. Additionally, information about leaders is publicly available […]
Keeping Information Security Simple – Backup, Backup, Backup
Letter from the CISO, Vol 1 Issue 5 Washington University Community: Many years ago, a respected colleague told me that for her, the ultimate security was knowing that she could get her data back if something bad happened. This was a bit of a shock to me, as I was young and inexperienced enough to […]
Know the Rules of the Road
We’re on the last leg of our road trip, but our cybersecurity adventure is far from over. The WashU Office of Information Security will always be your trusty navigator and loyal travel companion on the Road to Cybersecurity. We’ll help you steer through the twists and turns of the road ahead and give you a […]
Test Your Knowledge Competition
To wrap up another successful Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we invite you to show us what you know by entering our Test Your Knowledge Competition. Complete this activity to test what you know and receive an entry for one of several Bear Bucks awards. Prizes Grand Prize: $500 BearBucks credit. Additonal Prizes: $250 BearBucks credits. Don’t […]
Enter Our Student Prize Competition
On October 20th, CISO Chris Shull and WashU Computer Science Major Skylar Fong cooperated to run a webinar discussing Careers in Cybersecurity. Dozens of students participated in the evening event. Chris Shull offered valuable insights about the interdisciplinary nature of cybersecurity and the qualities that he looks for in a prospective new hire. Skylar shared […]
He Held Her Hostage with His Words
Bonus Scam of the Month On Father’s Day, 2021, Jaime Bardacke, a licensed clinical social worker in San Fransisco, received a phone call from a man who identified himself as Lt. Timothy Reid of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. Initially, Bardacke was not surprised by the call. She had dealt with legal issues involving […]
Scam of the Month: DocuSign Phishing
Attackers continuously adjust their tactics to circumvent our defensive strategies, using new methods to access our systems, data, and personal information. Even as attackers develop new scams, one element seems to carry on—impersonation. Our office frequently publishes about impersonation because it forms the basis of most phishing attempts. Often, attackers impersonate a high-ranking employee in […]
Meet Your InfoSec Team: Betsy Ball, Information Security Architect
Betsy Ball is a highly experienced IT professional with more than 30 years of experience, including work in user support as well as server, network, and firewall administration. In her role at WashU, she serves as an Information Security Architect, working with the Risk Assessment team on IT infrastructure assessment and supporting the Cybersecurity Maturity […]
Keeping Information Security Simple – Physical Security Comes First
Letter from the CISO, Vol 1 Issue 4 Washington University Community: Physical safety is a fundamental need of all animals, humans, computer systems, and devices. Last month I encouraged everyone to adopt a healthy dose of skepticism and paranoia regarding email, text, and social media messages to avoid becoming victims of social engineering attacks. This […]
Cybercrime and Human Intelligence
To defend ourselves against cybercrime, we cannot rely on technology alone. Cybercriminals constantly try different attack strategies, attempting to confuse, surprise, and manipulate their targets. Phishing emails are the most common attack strategy, and these messages are subject to the limitless creativity of their criminal authors. As a result, even state-of-the-art technology cannot perfectly detect […]
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is here! Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a global effort to help everyone stay protected whenever and however they connect. The Office of Information Security is proud to be a Cybersecurity Awareness Champion, supporting online safety throughout the year. We’re here to help every member of our community gain the knowledge and tools […]
SHRED-IT: Electronic Waste & Paper Shredding Drives
On Tuesday, October 19 and Tuesday, October 26, Operations & Facilities Management Department, the Office of Sustainability, WashU Office of Information Security, and BJC 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 drives […]
Scam of the Month—September 2021
Zero-Click Security Threat Earlier this month, the Office of Information Security published an alert about “zero-click” spyware. Typical cyberattacks require the target to interact in some way with malicious content by clicking on a link or downloading an attachment from an unknown sender. Zero-click attacks do not require this sort of engagement. According to the interim […]
Meet Your InfoSec Team: Denise Woodward, Information Security Manager
Denise Woodward is an Information Security Manager in Governance, Risk, and Compliance for our Office of Information Security. She has 27 years of experience in IT, 22 of which are in information security. She got her start in information security working on the Help Desk of A.G. Edwards & Sons and has enjoyed solving problems […]
Keeping Information Security Simple – Be Skeptical and a Little Paranoid
Letter from the CISO, Vol 1 Issue 3 Washington University Community: “Keep Information Security Simple” has been my motto for nearly a decade. This month, I’d like to share an important thing that everyone can do to improve our security—slow down, just a little bit because haste makes good people fall for bad tricks. In the first […]
Get Inside the Hacker Mindset to Create Stronger Passwords
By Harrison Stites. In the last issue of SECURED, Chris Shull, Chief Information Security Officer, wrote about the importance of passwords. Specifically, Chris emphasized using unique and long passwords for each login to prevent hackers from accessing your accounts. However, for most users, remembering long, unique passwords is not feasible. Today, we will describe the tactics […]
Safety Tips for Back to School (Poster/Graphic)
By Harrison Stites. The Office of Information Security wishes everyone a safe and productive return to the classroom. In support of your return, we want to remind you of a few simple but important security strategies that you can use to protect yourself and your data. Back-Up Devices Back up your devices and accounts to prevent […]
Protect Yourself from Misinformation
By Harrison Stites. The internet provides a platform for anyone to share information, and legitimate news must fight through the noise of misinformation to reach readers. Misinformation is false or misleading information created by actors with malicious intent. It is especially dangerous when readers fail to detect its illegitimacy and perpetuate it by sharing it on social […]
Scam of the Month—August 2021
The Office of Information Security has received reports of a SMiShing campaign targeting students at our institution. SMiShing occurs when cybercriminals use tactics common to phishing campaigns in text messages, attempting to communicate legitimacy to the unsuspecting victim. The reported SMiShing attempt is posted below. The message sender is posing as someone in a position […]
Meet Your InfoSec Team: Kevin Hardcastle, WashU Associate CISO
Kevin Hardcastle, a long-time leader in information security has been instrumental in keeping WashU secure. Kevin was first drawn to IT while studying at Missouri State, where he received a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems. He has 36 years of experience in information technology, including 21 years of experience in information security. He began […]
Keeping Information Security Simple – Multi-Factor Authentication
Washington University Community: Thank you for the positive feedback on June’s first issue of our new Information Security Bulletin, “Secured!” If you missed it, you can read it and other articles of interest at https://informationsecurity.wustl.edu/blog/. For almost a decade, I’ve been trying to “Keep Information Security Simple” (KISS) for my clients, employers, and friends. KISS is […]
Workday Security
Washington University recently adopted Workday, a cloud-based software system for managing finances, human resources, and planning. The new system provides a single, integrated system for managing multiple facets of daily operations at WashU. WashU takes the security of your data and our systems seriously. Therefore, the system that we use to manage sensitive information such […]
How to use your source-checking skills to stay safe from phishing
By Harrison Stites According to IC3, an FBI subsidiary, 241,342 Americans were victims of successful phishing attacks in 2020. The tactics used in phishing continue to evolve with the intent of getting you to divulge sensitive information or download malicious attachments. However, you already possess the skills to prevent phishing attacks and stay safe online. […]
Save, Secure, and Share with Box and OneDrive
Institutions such as Washington University have incredible data storage and transfer needs. Members of our community are continuously engaged in research, teaching, and patient care, producing large quantities of data that need secure storage as well as accessibility. Further, the COVID-19 remote-work era has demonstrated the need for file access from multiple devices, in multiple […]
Phishing 101
Email phishing has long been the method of choice for many cybercriminals who seek to exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain. These attacks are continually revised and refreshed to take advantage of current trends and new strategies used to socially engineer their victims. Phishing works so well because it takes advantage of human emotion, convincing unsuspecting […]
Scam of the Month—July 2021
Before we get to our Scam of the Month for July, we wanted to take a minute to say thanks to one of our readers who took the time to reach out and provide some additional clues from last month’s column. Here is a link to our post from last month: https://informationsecurity.wustl.edu/scam-of-the-month-june-2021/ Our reader points out […]
Meet Your Infosec Team: Chief Information Security Officer, Chris Shull
On June 1, 2021, Chris Shull assumed the role of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Washington University in St. Louis. He comes to WashU from Huron Consulting Group, which is working on several other projects at WashU. Chris has joined Joe Susai, the CISO for the School of Medicine, and Kevin Hardcastle, Associate CISO […]
Scam of the Month—June 2021
In each issue of the newsletter, we will feature, discuss, and dissect a scam that has appeared on our campus. These scams are “real” attempts to infiltrate our systems and/or gain access to sensitive and personal information of individuals in our community. By sharing these examples with our readers, we hope to enhance your awareness […]
The Office of Information Security (OIS) is Your Ally in the Cybercrime Arms Race
Educational institutions such as WashU are prime targets for cybercriminals who use ever-evolving tactics to infiltrate systems, steal data, block access, and demand ransoms under the threat that they will publish sensitive data online. Universities operating medical centers are especially vulnerable, as they manage large amounts of sensitive patient health data. According to the Ponemon Institute, […]
Social Engineering Red Flags
Phishing, the practice of sending fraudulent emails in order to induce recipients into surrendering private information and login credentials, is the single most common type of cybercrime today. According to a recent report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), nearly one-third of complaints received in 2020 were about various forms […]
Letter from the CISO – Everyone is in InfoSec
Washington University Community: I welcome you to this inaugural edition of our new Information Security Bulletin. My primary goal for the bulletin is to empower every member of our community to do their part in protecting us from cybersecurity attacks. A few years ago, the CISO for a health system was asked how many people […]