Intended Audience: Students, Faculty, and Staff
Summary
Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. PVAMU relies on students, faculty, and staff to remain vigilant in protecting personal and institutional information from cyber threats. This guide provides strategies to strengthen your defenses and explains where to get help if you suspect a security incident.
Problem
Cybercriminals target universities because of the wealth of personal data, research, and financial information stored on campus systems. Without proper awareness, community members may unintentionally expose sensitive data through weak passwords, phishing emails, or insecure devices.
Solution
By practicing good cybersecurity hygiene and staying informed, you can dramatically reduce your risk. PVAMU provides tools, training, and IT support to help safeguard your digital presence.
Steps
Steps for Cybersecurity Awareness
Before you begin: cybersecurity is about consistent habits. The following steps explain how you can protect your identity, your devices, and the PVAMU community.
1. Recognize and Avoid Phishing 📧
-
Always check the sender’s email address.
-
Hover over links before clicking.
-
Look for spelling errors and urgent requests (“Act Now!”).
-
If suspicious, forward the email to informationsecurity@pvamu.edu.
2. Secure Your Passwords 🔒
-
Use strong, unique passwords (at least 12 characters).
-
Never reuse the same password across multiple accounts.
-
Consider a trusted password manager.
3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) 💻
-
PVAMU uses Microsoft Authenticator for MFA.
-
MFA adds an extra layer of protection beyond passwords.
-
Set up push notifications instead of SMS when possible.
4. Keep Devices Updated ⚙️
-
Install operating system and software updates promptly.
-
Enable automatic updates where possible.
-
Use antivirus software on personal devices.
5. Practice Safe Browsing 🌐
-
Avoid logging into PVAMU systems over public Wi-Fi without a VPN.
-
Only download apps/software from trusted sources.
-
Log out of shared devices after use.
Common Scams Targeting Universities ⚠️
Be aware of these frequent scams that target students, faculty, and staff:
-
📧 Financial Aid Scams: Fake emails or texts claiming to be from PVAMU Financial Aid, asking for Social Security Numbers, banking info, or login credentials. PVAMU will never request this information via email, text, or phone.
-
📂 SharePoint Phishing: Fraudulent SharePoint invitations redirecting you to a malicious login page. Verify before clicking if you weren’t expecting a file.
-
🔔 MFA Fatigue Attacks: Hackers send repeated login approval prompts hoping you’ll approve one by mistake. Deny unexpected MFA requests.
-
📞 Vishing (Phone Scams): Calls from scammers posing as university staff or tech support, asking for sensitive info. Hang up and verify.
-
📱 Smishing (Text Scams): Fraudulent texts with links or urgent claims about account issues or refunds. Do not click.
-
🎓 Job Offer & Gift Card Scams: Fake “easy campus job” offers or requests to buy gift cards on behalf of someone at PVAMU.
-
📮 Credential Theft Emails: Messages pretending to be IT saying “mailbox full” or “verify account.” Report them instead of clicking.
-
🕵️ Extortion & Blackmail Scams: Threats claiming compromising info or videos unless you pay in cryptocurrency. These are scare tactics.
-
💼 Business & Investment Scams: Promises of research partnerships, startup investments, or high financial returns targeting faculty and students.
-
💸 Money Transfer Scams: Requests to wire funds or move money “for a supervisor or department head.”
-
🛒 Purchase Scams: Fake online listings for textbooks, tech, or tickets. Stick to trusted vendors.
-
🎁 Holiday Scams: Fake “special offers,” “travel deals,” or “charity donations” during holiday seasons.
-
👵 Grandparent/Grandmother Scams: Scammers impersonate a distressed family member asking for urgent money, often targeting elders but relevant to warn students and staff.
Contact Information Security
If you suspect a phishing email, account compromise, or any other cyber threat, please contact the Information Security Office immediately at:
📧 informationsecurity@pvamu.edu
Additional Resources
We Value Your Feedback
Prairie View A&M University is dedicated to improving the way we serve students, faculty, and staff. If you have suggestions on how we can make this article clearer, more helpful, or easier to follow, we welcome your comments. Your feedback helps us enhance our Knowledge Base and provide better support to the Panther community.