As the international back-to-school season starts, Kaspersky’s cybersecurity experts have detected a significant surge in fraudulent activities, saying cybercriminals exploit academic topics, launching sophisticated phishing campaigns.
However, Kaspersky experts warn that this year, the campaigns have become more targeted, specifically aiming to steal personal data from students, educators and administrators in the educational sector.
It added that fraudsters are increasingly leveraging data collection forms on platforms like SurveyHeart.com, a questionnaire like Google Forms, to carry out scams.
In one such scheme – a phishing attack that targets students at Neumann University in the U.S. – victims received a notification claiming they are using two different Microsoft school emails across various university portals.
To prevent their Office 365 account from being deactivated, they were asked to complete a survey requiring sensitive details such as their name, phone number, university email and account password.
Another scam uncovered by Kaspersky experts involved fraudsters creating fake giveaways that promised students a chance to win various high-end gadgets useful for education, from iPhones to iPads and laptops.
To enter these enticing contests, victims were asked to provide personal information and indicate their preferred laptop model.
Additionally, individuals are prompted to share a link to a prize-draw page with 15 contacts via WhatsApp. While the prospect of winning a valuable item like a laptop is the lure, there is a hidden catch: the so-called winners are told they must pay for the delivery of their prizes. This demand for additional payment is a clear red flag that the giveaway is a scam.
The offer may seem tempting, but the combination of an unusually generous prize and the requirement to cover delivery costs is a telltale sign of fraudulent activity.
“These scams go beyond immediate data theft and could lead to more serious, long-term consequences,” cautions Olga Svistunova, a security expert at Kaspersky.
READ ALSO: Some banks, top officials to be prosecuted soon — EFCC boss
and then