This Knowledge Base article provides general information about cybersecurity and email safety for NC A&T students.
Overview
Your NCAT account provides access to important systems such as email, financial aid, class schedules, student records, housing information, and Microsoft 365. Keeping your account secure is essential to protecting your personal information and academic access.
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to help students recognize common cyber threats, understand how to protect their accounts, and know how to report suspicious activity to the Information Security Office.
Protect Your NCAT Account
Keeping your NCAT account secure requires vigilance against phishing emails and scams. Always verify the sender and be cautious before clicking links or opening attachments.
Protecting your account protects you.
Think Before You Click
Be cautious of common scams targeting students, including:
- Fake job offers such as “easy remote jobs,” personal assistant roles, or messages asking you to deposit checks or send money
- Financial aid or refund scams requesting banking details or urgent logins
- Unexpected Duo or Microsoft MFA prompts you did not initiate
If you receive a suspicious login prompt, deny it immediately, change your password, and report it.
How to Report Suspicious Emails
Do not click links or open attachments before reporting.
- Use the Phish Alert Button (PAB) in Outlook to report suspicious emails
- Forward suspicious messages to informIT@ncat.edu
Report messages that request passwords, money, gift cards, or urgent action.
Student Email Safety Tips
Follow these best practices to protect your account:
- Use strong, unique passwords
- Never share your password
- Enable and use multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Keep your devices updated
- Avoid using public or shared computers for university logins
- Verify sender email addresses carefully
- Be cautious of QR codes in emails or flyers
Red Flags to Watch For
Be alert for signs of phishing or scam emails, including:
- Urgent or high-pressure language
- Threats of account closure
- Promises of quick money
- Poor grammar or spelling
- Unfamiliar or suspicious sender addresses
- Requests for login credentials or payment (gift cards, Zelle, Cash App, Apple Pay)
Additional Information
If you have questions or need assistance, contact the Information Security Office at informIT@ncat.edu.
When in doubt, report suspicious emails using the Phish Alert Button. Staying alert helps protect both your account and the NC A&T community.