Cybercriminals are back to school too...

As students around the world prepare for the imminent return to the academic classroom, Kaspersky's team of digital security experts have discovered an alarming increase in fraudulent activity. Taking advantage of the frenzy surrounding academic preparations and school supply purchases, cybercriminals are launching sophisticated online phishing campaigns targeting students, teachers and administrators.

One of the tactics the scammers are using, the team discovered, is to create fake contests promising students the chance to win a laptop. To be eligible for this seemingly attractive prize, victims are instructed to provide personal information and indicate their preferred laptop model. In another version of this scam, individuals are asked to share a specific link leading to a prize draw page with 15 of their WhatsApp contacts. They are then required to enter the draw by registering via SMS. The allure of obtaining a laptop or other valuable item is the lure, but there's a catch: winners are told they must cover the delivery costs for their supposed prizes. This requirement for additional payment serves as a subtle indicator of a fraudulent scheme.

Noura Afaneh, a privacy expert at Kaspersky, states:

As the academic season approaches and millions of students buy books, pay tuition fees and acquire school supplies, there is a traditional increase in digital threats. Fraudsters are taking advantage of this period, capitalizing on the enthusiasm of students to purchase new devices for their studies. The allure of a free laptop is proving to be an effective blinders to the associated risks, leaving individuals at increased risk of falling victim to such scams.

Another fraudulent form of deception revolves around fake scholarships. Scammers take advantage of students' hope for financial aid by luring them into fake scholarship programs. Here's how it works: victims are lured by seemingly genuine scholarship offers promising financial aid. In order to take advantage of this assistance, students are asked to provide personal information, including sensitive data such as social security numbers and banking information. This information is later used for identity theft and financial fraud.

"Fake scholarship scams can seriously affect unsuspecting students, leading not only to financial losses but also to long-term identity theft. It is vital for students to remain vigilant and cautious when interacting with unknown scholarship offers," comments Noura Afaneh, Privacy Specialist at Kaspersky.

To stay safe from education fraud, Kaspersky experts also recommend:

• Stay skeptical: Be wary of offers that are "too good to be true", especially if they require payment or personal details upfront.
  If the offer is too good to be true, especially if it includes offers that ask for money or require advance payment: Thoroughly investigate any scholarships, gifts or offers you come across. Look for official contact information and confirm its legitimacy before taking any action.
• Secure your information: Avoid sharing sensitive data online unless you are absolutely certain of the legitimacy of the request.
  Use trusted sources: Stick to official school websites, recognized scholarship platforms and trusted retailers when making payments or providing personal information.
• Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA): enable MFA where possible, adding an extra layer of security to your online accounts. Use a reliable password manager that not only stores your passwords, but automatically generates one-time passwords for two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Use a reliable security solution for comprehensive protection against a wide range of threats, such as Kaspersky Premium.