A-Level students searching for last-minute university places ‘tricked’ into clicking on nasty malware
CRUEL cyber criminals are luring stressed A-level students into downloading malware that could drain their bank accounts and bleed them dry.
Prepped for an upsurge in web traffic, hackers have been busy creating higher education phishing sites in the hope that university hopefuls will click on malware-laden links.
Booby-trapped websites and pop-ups could appear just like the official Ucas Clearing site.
Some ads might be offering qualifications at a low price or guaranteed places for a fee.
If a victim does click on a link, they could download intrusive tracking software.
In some cases, this software is known to silently log everything the victim types into their computer or smartphone - including bank account numbers, sort codes or passwords used to sign into online accounts.
Crooks can use this information to pilfer bank accounts - without the victim realising until the cash is gone.
How to stay safe while searching for a university place
The experts at Forcepoint have these top tips for you:
- Type in the URL rather than clicking on links in email or in online adverts
- Use reputable search engines
- Be aware of lure lines such as “discounted course fees,” “multiple course places available now,” or the usage of highly respected educational establishment names in promotions
- Keep internet security up to date on PCs and mobiles
- Begin your Clearing search via the Ucas website, which contains official links and the latest up-to-date places
- Reach out to the university or colleges admin secretary office if you have doubts as to the legitimacy of a fee or offer
Carl Leonard, principal security analyst at Forcepoint said: "If a university or college offer appears too good to be true, it probably is.
"University students will continue to be targeted by cyber criminals at relevant times of the year.
"The scammers will continue to set up fraudulent websites and send convincing emails demanding interaction in order to manipulate a student’s behaviour when they are under the most time pressure."
Frank Jeffs, a postgraduate researcher and former head of advertising at Middlesex University said international students should also be wary.
He said: “Scams of this nature have the potential to trick stressed UK-based students, but could also catch out international students who are seeking courses in the UK.
STUDY THIS A-Level results day 2017 – what time are results released and how can you see your grades on Ucas Track?
"In my experience, scammers use well-known university names such as Oxford or Cambridge and create fake institutions which sound very similar.
"Designed to look realistic and offering qualifications at a low price or attempting to capture personal information, this social engineering trick could easily catch out international students or people who might not have the local knowledge of the official educational establishment names.
"Always go via the Ucas website or type in the URL of the university or college you are interested in."
Not sure how Ucas clearing works? Here's how to find a list of university courses available on A-level results day.
You can get the lowdown on GSCE results too. When is GSCE results day, how do I collect my grades and what happens if I fail an exam?
Scared of cyber scammers? Here are the latest cyber security threats
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours