From secondary schools and colleges to universities and research institutes, the importance of cyber security within higher education can’t be overstated. These institutions are hubs for intellectual growth, storing a wealth of sensitive personal information, from student records to bank details and addresses.
In the event of an email or malware attack, the consequences can be immense, leading to sensitive information being extorted and the safety of students and lecturers being compromised.
Therefore, it is crucial that the servers and cyber accounts that link higher education facilities are properly protected by a trusted anti-spam software such as MailCleaner.
Here is our quick guide to the threats facing schools and universities.
Phishing
One of the most commonly reported attacks facing universities and schools is Phishing. This type of attack involves sending out emails that subtly request information from the recipient such as login details or financial information.
This type of attack can be difficult to identify without the correct software as they are often well hidden and structured in a way that appears legitimate.
With the level of sophistication involved in these attacks increasing rapidly, it is important that the institution’s protection is up to the task.
Email Hacks
Another particularly concerning threat facing higher education institutions is account hacks. Also known as business email compromise, this form of attack involves email accounts being hacked and then used to send out huge amounts of phishing attempts to the rest of the university or school.
This type of attack is particularly malicious as due to the emails seemingly coming from a reputable source, they are incredibly hard to identify as spam. In addition to the theft of financial and personal information, these attacks can majorly slow down university servers.
Ransomware
Although less common, the use of ransomware is another damaging method of cyber attack. These types of spam begin in a similar fashion to phishing emails, often encouraging the recipient to download a file disguised as something else. This download then encrypts the files on the computer, rendering them inaccessible to the user unless they pay a ransom to get the files back.
These attacks are particularly worrying for institutions like universities due to the high volumes of academic work and research kept on machines and laptops.
Choosing A Server Based Anti Spam Software
The most effective method of protecting your institution from vicious and potentially irreversible attacks is through the implementation of anti-spam software on university or school servers.
MailCleaner is an incredibly effective open-source anti-spam software designed to stop these kinds of cyber attacks and protect the personal information of students, lecturers and researchers alike.
Not only are MailCleaner’s services used by universities around the world, but we also offer discounts to educational institutes.
For more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We have offices around the globe and our friends and dedicated team are always happy to help.