A phishing attack targeting the University of Texas at El Paso compromises student accounts and redirects financial aid refunds, prompting calls for increased cybersecurity awareness and measures.
More states are enacting laws to protect data privacy, a trend coinciding with the growing concern among Americans about how their information is stored and used. In a concerning development, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is urging students to remain vigilant following phishing attacks that compromised multiple student accounts. These attacks led to the unauthorized redirection of financial aid refunds.
The university confirmed that while its systems were not directly hacked, the phishing emails, mimicking UTEP communications, tricked students into divulging their information. This information was then used to alter bank deposit details, allowing cybercriminals to divert the funds into their own accounts. Dr. Heather Wilson, President of UTEP, acknowledged the widespread nature of this attack, stating that it reflects a larger national trend of cybercrime targeting students. She emphasized the daily frequency of these attacks, highlighting the frustration and challenges they pose. Students like Vazquez shared their harrowing experiences of unauthorized charges appearing on their bank accounts, resulting in the loss of their financial aid refunds. She described the immense stress this situation caused, as she relied on that money for essential expenses like books, transportation, and personal needs. Vazquez, like many other students, heavily depends on financial aid. The university is actively taking steps to mitigate the impact of this attack and prevent future incidents. They are conducting monthly cybersecurity training sessions for students to raise awareness and equip them with the necessary knowledge to identify and avoid phishing scams. Dr. Wilson stressed the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals, noting their ability to convincingly impersonate individuals and their targeting of vulnerable groups, such as students and the elderly. To alleviate the financial burden faced by students affected by this attack, UTEP is offering an emergency fund. Dr. Wilson emphasized the school's commitment to supporting victims, acknowledging them as individuals who have been wronged and deserving of assistance. She assured that the university would collaborate with the FBI to investigate the crime and help recover the stolen funds.This phishing attack targeting UTEP is not an isolated incident. Several universities and companies in the state have recently experienced similar cyberattacks. The use of sophisticated phishing techniques and the targeting of educational institutions raise serious concerns about the vulnerability of sensitive student information. The UTEP incident serves as a stark reminder for individuals and institutions alike to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their data against evolving cyber threats
CYBERCRIME PHISHING STUDENT DATA UNIVERSITY SECURITY DATA PRIVACY
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PayPal Security Warning—$2,000 ‘Phish-Free’ Phishing Attack ConfirmedA new PayPal phishing attack has been confirmed with a critical twist: it’s phish-free. Here’s what you need to know.
Read more »
Click-Attack Surge: Netskope Warns of Phishing Threat to Email UsersA new analysis by Netskope Threat Labs reveals a nearly threefold increase in dangerous clicks in 2024 compared to 2023. The report blames the surge on cognitive fatigue and increasingly sophisticated attackers, warning that over 8 out of every 1,000 users are now clicking on malicious links. Netskope advises all email users to exercise extreme caution and consider avoiding clicks altogether.
Read more »
iPhone Phishing Attack: Hackers Exploit Reply-to-Activate TrickA new phishing scam targeting iPhone users has emerged, deceiving recipients into activating malicious links. Hackers have adapted their tactics to bypass Apple's iMessage security by prompting users to reply to texts, effectively reopening the message and enabling link activation.
Read more »
Hackers Target Microsoft Advertisers With Google Ads Phishing AttackSecurity researchers at Malwarebytes have uncovered a new phishing campaign where hackers are using malicious ads appearing on Google Search to steal login information from Microsoft advertisers. The campaign exploits the ongoing competition between Google and Microsoft in the advertising ecosystem, using fake ads that mimic legitimate Microsoft Ads results.
Read more »
New Orleans Attack Highlights Vulnerability of Open SocietiesA vehicle driven into a crowd in New Orleans on New Year's Day serves as a stark reminder of the threat posed by terrorism to open societies. The incident, possibly linked to the Islamic State, underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and the importance of protecting innocent lives.
Read more »
New Orleans Attack Highlights Troubling History of Vehicle Rammings in Mass KillingsThe New Year's Day tragedy in New Orleans, where a man drove his truck into a crowd of revelers, killing 15 and injuring 35, draws attention to a disturbing pattern of vehicle-based mass killings worldwide. The incident follows several high-profile attacks, including a 2018 attack in China, the 2020 attack during George Floyd protests, a 2021 attack in Canada, and the 2016 attack in Berlin.
Read more »