Cybercrime is any criminal activity that involves a cyber element (ransomware, malware, etc.) perpetrated by individuals with malicious intent in order to achieve a goal.
Cybercriminals send fraudulent messages (emails, texts, QR codes, etc.) to gain access to sensitive data or hack into IT infrastructures in the hopes of pressuring their victims and extracting what they want from them.
This is why it is so important to be cautious and attentive when handling confidential data and to respond appropriately when it comes to threat management.
The best protection against cyber attacks is awareness.
Reminder
- Be extra cautious if the email originated from outside the organization.
- Check to make sure that the sender’s email address is legitimate by looking at the username and domain name. A suspicious email address looks like this: <AlianParker.2986022vvxx_87@rricrosoft.com>
- Never click on links, scan QR codes or open attachments from unknown senders.
- Before clicking on anything, check the links in the body of your emails, even if you know the sender! Be suspicious if you see www.rricrosoft.com instead of www.microsoft.com.
- Be wary of attachments with strange messages, even if you recognize the sender’s name.
- Check the header of any email message that contains a suspicious link by pointing your mouse curser over the “FROM” portion of the email address. For example, an email from the CIUSSS should look like this X.X.comtl@SSSS.GOUV.QC.CA and not like this X.X.X@SSSS.GOV.QC.CA.
- Assess the content and tone of the email. Does it ask you to take urgent action?
- Remember that organizations never request sensitive data by email and that email messages always have a professional signature.
- Is the email riddled with spelling and/or grammatical errors? Beware of fraud!
- If you inadvertently open or click on a suspicious link, call IT immediately (514-457-8443).