WEBVTT

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Imagine one day in your role in higher education,

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you receive an email that is well written.

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There are no grammar mistakes or spelling errors,

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but you weren't expecting the email. Plus, you don't know the sender.

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You may be the victim of a generative AI cyber attack.

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Bad actors are using AI more often to launch harder to detect cyber attacks faster.

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In fact, a recent report shows 82% of phishing emails use AI. That's a 53% increase in just one year.

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Bad actors are using AI to lure you into clicking on malicious links and attachments.

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They want to steal your passwords and your money.

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But the good news is you can take steps to avoid these crimes.

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First, when you receive an unexpected email, think about the overall context.

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Does it make sense that you're receiving this email? Is it from your university president? Does that person send you emails often?

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If you don't know why you're receiving the email or it's not something you typically receive.

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That could be a very big red flag.

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Here's a second red flag. An email with an overly formal or unusual tone.

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Does the tone feel contradictory, both friendly and then harsh?

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If so, it's probably an AI generated attack.

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A third red flag is unnatural language. Be wary of an email with words like

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kindly, be advised, essential, failure to comply, in utmost urgency.

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Or maybe even an email that addresses you as dear recipient or dear customer.

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One that uses words like we kindly implore you to reset your credentials.

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If you see these, there's a good chance it's a generative AI-powered phishing email.

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Why?

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Because the words kindly and implore don't go together.

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Kindly means to be nice.

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While implore conveys desperation.

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AI makes detecting phishing emails even harder. So now is the time to be more vigilant than ever at detecting and avoiding them.