In the News
The increasingly popular platform Google Drive has been the target of phishing attempts and breaches. The article Google Drive Exploited to Download Malware Directly from URL discusses the way in which malicious actors use Google Drive to transmit malware and other adverse files in oftentimes undetectable ways.
Our Take
Students increasingly utilize Google Drive as their primary file storage service, as it allows access to documents from various devices and collaboration with peers via real-time document-editing. Although it’s tempting to treat all invitations to view a document as a part of the everyday work cycle, it’s important to be cautious of unexpected links shared through emails, even if they appear to be branded by Google.
Recommendations
So how can you protect yourself from a malicious attempt to access personal information?
- Be wary of emails containing links that you were not expecting to receive
- Check with the sender outside of the email exchange to confirm that they shared a link–text them, call them, message them on Facebook, or catch up with them in person
- Make sure you utilize one of the computer security softwares Northwestern offers
- Know the warning signs of a phish.