In today’s digital world, your inbox is often the first line of defense against cybercriminals. Whether it’s a fake “urgent” notice from the financial aid office or a suspicious job offer promising easy money, phishing scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot.
To help you navigate these threats safely, we are excited to announce that we are expanding our use of KnowBe4 to include the entire student body.
What is KnowBe4?
KnowBe4 is the world’s leading platform for security awareness training. It helps people recognize the “red flags” of social engineering—the tactics hackers use to trick you into clicking malicious links, downloading dangerous attachments, or giving away your login credentials.
For several years, we have used KnowBe4 to train our faculty and staff. Given the rise in scams specifically targeting students, we’ve decided to extend these same tools to you.
Why is This Important for You?
Cyberattacks don’t just target large corporations; they target individuals. As a student, your personal data, academic records, and financial information are highly valuable.
By using KnowBe4, you will:
- Learn to Spot Scams: You’ll get hands-on experience identifying the subtle signs of a phishing email.
- Reduce Personal Risk: Protecting your school account also helps you build habits that protect your personal bank accounts, social media, and identity.
- Prepare for the Workforce: Most modern employers use tools like KnowBe4. Gaining these skills now gives you a head start on professional digital literacy.
What to Expect
Starting soon, you may receive simulated phishing emails. These are safe, “mock” scams designed by our IT team to test your awareness.
- If you spot the phish: Great job! You can report it using the Report Phishing button in your email.
- If you happen to click: Don’t worry—you aren’t in trouble. You’ll simply be directed to a brief “teachable moment” page that shows you exactly what red flags you missed so you can catch them next time.
In the future, we will also push out short, interactive training modules through the platform to help you stay ahead of new types of cyber threats.
If you have any questions, please contact the HelpDesk at 507-457-7800 or helpdesk@smumn.edu.
