Malware can take a number of forms, but most will in some way try to cause malicious damage to your computer/data, extract money or harvest sensitive information from you. If you receive spam in your City University email account it may ask you to provide your City account credentials. Please remember: a genuine City University communication will NEVER ask for your password or ask you to verify your account by filling in an online/email form.
How can you spot spam and malware?
- Any email asking for your account credentials is spam and should be immediately deleted. NEVER give your password over email, as this could leave your account vulnerable.
- Any email asking you to click a link that does not correspond to any City University address could be attempting to lure you to an unsafe website and should also be deleted.
- Any communications from City University will come from an address ending in @city.ac.uk or @servicenow.com, so if an email comes to you claiming to be from City but with a different address, it is spam, and should be deleted.
- You may often encounter unwanted ‘pop-up’ windows when browsing the Internet. These are often malicious and should be closed immediately.
There are a number of types of malware, some are easy to identify while others remain ‘hidden’. The most common of these include:
Adware
Adware is a type of malware designed to convince the user to visit websites or purchase products. It will often manifest as pop-ups or unrecognised desktop icons. This type of malware is usually easier to spot, as it is trying to get your attention.
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware that hides in the background on your computer and tries to learn sensitive information about you, such as bank account information and passwords. This is more difficult to spot, as it needs to stay hidden to perform its task.
Ransomware
Ransomware is easy to spot, as it will in some way prevent you from using your computer or accessing your files, whilst demanding payment from the user – thus ‘holding the user to ransom’. For example, the malware may encrypt your files or ‘lock’ your computer. If you encounter this type of malware it is important that you DO NOT comply with any demands. Instead, contact the IT Service Desk immediately.
Do you think your PC may have been infected?
If you are ever in doubt regarding an email’s validity or you believe your computer may have been infected with a malware or a virus, please contact the IT Service Desk. A member of our team will be able to advise and support you.
You can contact the IT Service Desk 24 hours a day on 020 7040 8181 or at www.city.ac.uk/itservicedesk
