IT Newslett for Students

for Students

July 2017

Phishing Emails

Phishing emails often use messages and notifications which are designed to impersonate someone or look like a company you know. The intentions vary and could be any of the following:

To test the existence of active mail boxes
To trick you into disclosing sensitive information like login names, passwords and credit card information
To trick you into transferring funds
To install malicious software into your computer.

Example of phishing email:

If you have received suspicious emails, please follow the steps below:

1. DELETE the phishing email and DO NOT FOLLOW the instructions in the email

2. DO NOT PROVIDE your personal details such as name, NRIC number, contact information, bank account or credit card number to the sender

3. DO NOT CLICK on link(s) or open file attachment(s) in the email as the content may be malicious

4. CHANGE your password immediately if you have accidentally clicked on the link(s) in the email and input your credentials on the website

Importance of Proper and Secure Data Handling

There were recent cases of which personal data of students was leaked to the public when their Google Sheets were accidentally circulated. Data leaked include full names, mobile numbers, matriculation numbers, dates of birth, dormitory room numbers, and e-mail addresses

It is important to exercise caution when collecting and processing data. To minimize the risk of data leakage, the following are some preventive steps:

1) Collect LESS. Do not collect personal data if not needed.

2) Encrypt/Password-protect your documents with strong password consisting of alphabets, numbers, and symbols.

3) Do not use Public cloud services for Personal information, eg. Dropbox, Google Docs.

4) Avoid securing documents only via links as the links could be passed around.

Petrwrap ransomware is a new ransomware built upon an older ransomware, Petya. This ransomware not only encrypts one's entire hard-disk, it can spread to other computers connected to the same network. Thus causing massive disruption.

The new ransomware has already infected the systems at large organisations worldwide eg. Chernobyl nuclear power plant, international Danish shipping company, Maersk as well as a US pharmaceutical firm, Merck.

How to protect yourself against these ransomware?

Ø ALWAYS UPDATE your antivirus/anti-malware software

Ø DO NOT open suspicious email attachments or links

Ø DELETE suspicious emails/files immediately

Ø RUN virus/malware scan on your computer regularly

System Maintenance

NPal Student Self Service Maintenance

· Sun, 9 Jul 2017, 9:00am to 11:00m

NPal Student Self Service will be unavailable during the maintenance period.

Please email to Dora.ITCare@np.edu.sg should you require further information or clarification.

studentnewslett_201707