October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and all month long we are spotlighting real cybercriminals and the practical steps you can take to protect yourself and our campus community.
Meet "Giant Company"
"Giant Company" was a large-scale scam operation based in Myanmar that targeted people around the world. Nearly 300 individuals were arrested in connection with the operation, and nine scam centers were disrupted as part of a major law enforcement effort. While this was a significant success, Giant Company represents just one example of the countless scam operations active today.
Scammers and phishing attackers often impersonate people and organizations you trust, including banks, supervisors, delivery services, customer support teams, and even family members. Their goal is to get your attention, build trust, and persuade you to take action—whether that's clicking a link, answering a call, responding to a message, or sharing sensitive information.
Today's scammers are also using AI tools to create more convincing and personalized attacks at greater scale. No matter the method, they rely on the same tactic: creating a strong emotional reaction and encouraging you to act quickly before you have time to think.
Don't Make Life Easy for "Giant Company"
You can make yourself a much harder target by following a few simple habits:
- Be highly skeptical of unexpected messages, especially those that create a sense of urgency.
- Take a few extra seconds to carefully review emails, texts, calls, and direct messages before responding.
- Watch for emotional triggers such as fear ("Your account has been compromised!") or excitement ("You've won an expensive prize!").
Think a few seconds of scrutiny won’t make a difference? Even small interactions can signal to scammers that they've found a potential target. Clicking a link, responding to a text, answering an unexpected call, or engaging with a suspicious message can open the door to further attacks.
Remember:
- You don't need to click.
- You don't need to respond.
- You don't need to answer calls from unknown numbers.
You're not being rude-you're being cautious. Technology helps defend against cybercrime, but one of the most effective protections is healthy skepticism.
Why Avoiding Scams Matter
University accounts provide access to valuable resources, including email, coursework, research data, payroll information, and other university systems. Staying alert to scams and phishing attempts helps protect both your personal information and university resources.
By taking a moment to review communications carefully and report suspicious messages, you help create a safer environment for everyone while making it much harder for cybercriminals, such as "Giant Company," to succeed. If you receive a suspicious email, use the "Report Phish" button in Outlook to notify the ITS Security team. For step-by-step instructions, review the Reporting Phishing Emails article.
Keep Learning, Stay Protected
Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your cybersecurity knowledge, explore additional tips and resources from ITS.
During the month of October, expand your knowledge by participating in the Big Ten Academic Alliance Cybersecurity Awareness Month events. These events provide valuable insights from cybersecurity experts, practical guidance on today's most common threats, and helpful strategies for protecting your personal and professional information.