How Do I Protect Myself From Online Cyber Threats? (viruses, Hoaxes ...

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How do I protect myself from online cyber threats? (viruses, hoaxes, phishing, harassment)? Updated 02/10/2025 04.00 PM

Virus warnings, hoaxes and phishing

To protect your computer and IT infrastructure from viruses, all computers and laptops used at UniSQ are required to have virus protection installed, with automatic updates scheduled. It only takes one unprotected/compromised computer for a virus outbreak to occur causing numerous hours of lost work time and IT resources in tracking, cleaning and restoring any disrupted services and systems. From time to time, email messages circulate warning of a potential virus threat, or you might get one about Microsoft sending you money for forwarding an email message, or Microsoft announcing yesterday of a serious virus and advising you to tell everyone you know. In the majority of cases, these messages are hoaxes or urban legends that spread like wildfire across the internet.

Scams

UniSQ's email facilities block the majority of spam and malicious content, however due to the changing nature of mail related scams, items can get through in some instances We ask that you take caution in clicking on any link in emails. Note also that UniSQ will never ask for "verification" or "confirmation" of your details to a website without prior notification or instruction. It is important that you do not click or open attachments from emails in which you do not recognise or expect.

How to recognise a fraudulent email

1. Scams are fraudulent emails can be recognised by containing any features such as:
2. Lack of UniSQ branding
3. The sender not having a .unisq.edu.au email address e.g. [email protected]
4. A message requesting you to click a link that originated in another country such as France http://uconnect-dev.electis.fr not ending with ".unisq.edu.au" domain
5. ICT Services and UniSQ Marketing will never address an email to a user by referring to their email address "Dear [email protected]" or "Dear Sir/Madam"
6. Emails requesting you to sign in to validate your 'Webmail' or bank transactions

Providing personal details and University information in response to these emails is in violation of the Acceptable use of ICT Resources Policy and may compromise your UniSQ account. The potential impact of the University systems and services can include the loss of ability to send emails from UniSQ addresses to providers such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, yahoo and other mail providers. Your UniSQ account being compromised allows an attacker access to personal information such as Student Centre with potential to result in identity fraud. Due to this risk to you and the University, we ask that you take caution in clicking any links contained within emails.

I've clicked an email I shouldn't have

If you've already provided personal or banking details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately (using the publicly available details, not the ones in the email you received) and monitor your bank statements for unauthorised transactions. If you've provided any account information, change any passwords you may have disclosed for your account either UniSQ or personal. If you've already saved or clicked an attachment, update your anti-virus software and run a complete scan of your computer. If you require further assistance please contact a Computer Repair store. You may also wish to update any online passwords stored on your computer in case they've be accessed.

Computer viruses, malware, spyware and scams

Computer viruses, malware and spyware can enter unprotected systems via many methods, such as:

• Opening email attachments without scanning them first; and opening links contained in emails that are suspicious
• Students using files from USB drives, external hard drives, and DVD/CD media from a source outside UniSQ without scanning them first

To protect your computer from viruses, all computers and laptops used at UniSQ must have virus protection installed, with automatic updates scheduled. It only takes one unprotected computer for a virus outbreak to occur causing hours of lost work time and IT resources in tracking, cleaning and restoring any disrupted services and systems.

How do I know if I have a virus?

When configured correctly, your virus software will clean and/or remove most viruses. If this has not happened and you believe your computer is infected:

• Do not send a global email message alerting your friends and colleagues. In many cases you may be the victim of a hoax.
• Contact a Computer Repair Store for assistance.

How do I minimise threats?

The following guidelines are provided to assist you in implementing a successful threat protection and detection strategy. Remember that the ease at which computer threats can be introduced onto your computer will depend on your ability to implement these simple steps. Each student is responsible for their computer. It is your responsibility to ensure that you scan your computer regularly and that you adhere to the following guidelines.

• Configure your virus software to scan your computer hard disk regularly for viruses to ensure that your computer is not infected. This check should be performed at least every week.
• Identify any possible virus intrusion points such as outdated versions of Java or other software where viruses are more likely to enter your computers.
• Scan any external drives prior to using them or copying any program files contained on an external drive.
• Electronic mail messages and Internet file transfers may contain files that could potentially carry viruses. Scan these files prior to using them on your computer.
• Ensure that you have backup copies of any of your critical information.
• Do not utilise programs and Trojan software such as 'Registry Cleaner 2017' or 'SpeedUpMyPCPro 2017'. These programs are not legitimate and infect your computer even requesting credit card payments from the user for no benefit to the system performance.

Adware, spyware, scareware, and viruses

Avoid downloading free software unless you are certain it's from a reputable company. Free programs are often a device for delivering malware such as adware, spyware and viruses. Be careful of sites that tell you to install a new "plug-in" or "media player" to continue. Another way criminals try to snag users is by offering "malware protection" through a message that pops up saying a virus has already been detected on the user's computer (hence the term "scareware"). Instead of fixing the "problem," users end up downloading a virus ladened piece of software. Install virus protection software and make sure your firewall is turned on for added protection.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is any kind of bullying or harassment that occurs through the use of technology. Cyberbullying can be especially upsetting because of its ability to be public, difficult to remove, and it can follow an individual into their own home. For further information on and assistance with cyberbulling please visit Student safety. Share

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