Last updated June 9, 2022
University websites
List of articles
Tips, tricks, technologies
List of articles
Learning online: Technology tips & tools
Whether you’re participating in fully remote courses or just virtual course activities at UW–Madison, here’s some helpful info on learning remotely, both on and off campus.
September 2, 2020Technology for working remotely
Most of the tools you might need are easily accessible with an internet connection and your laptop (or home desktop computer).
September 2, 2020How to manage slower internet & low bandwidth
Helpful tips on how to manage those circumstances that keep browser speeds frustratingly low.
July 28, 2020Web conferencing tools simplified
Simple, user-oriented tool recommendations for common web conferencing uses.
April 7, 2020Get started with Microsoft Teams & Google Hangouts
A collection of links to KB docs that will help you use these popular video & chat collaboration tools.
March 25, 2020Broadband provider outage information
Use these resources to check the status of network outages affecting you.
March 20, 2020Home internet guide
For those in need of detailed information about internet service providers.
March 17, 2020
Cybersecurity docs
List of articles
Watch for a Webex phishing attempt
Learn how to identify the Webex phishing attempt and what actions you should take if you receive it.
April 11, 2020How to stay safe online while accessing campus remotely
Recommended steps for securing the computer you use for remote work.
March 18, 2020
Scam alerts
List of articles
Beware! UW–Madison Grad School phone scam
The UW–Madison Office of Cybersecurity and UW–Madison Graduate School are aware of a phone scam active on campus. The phone call “spoofs” the Graduate School phone number, which means that it appears to come from the Graduate School but does not.
December 17, 2024AI-powered scams: How to protect yourself in the age of artificial intelligence
Scammers are using generative AI technology to supercharge their schemes. Learn the telltale signs of a scam—and what to do if you find yourself targeted.
September 11, 202408/25 Email phishing alert: Subject line “NOTICE BY IT ADMINISTRATOR TO VERIFY YOUR ACCOUNT”
Scammers recently sent phony email messages that appear to come from legitimate campus email addresses. Learn how to protect yourself!
August 26, 2024Preventing internet & phone scams
Scams can on take many forms. The UW–Madison Police Department shares a few of the most common scams reported on campus—and tips to protect yourself.
March 4, 202412/20 phishing alert! Subject: “Salary Increase Notification”
There's an active phishing campaign on campus in which the attacker impersonates a payroll & employees relations specialist sending information about a pay increase. The email asks recipients to click a link.
December 21, 2023Buyer beware: email from financial consultant lead-generation service
While this isn't a phishing attempt or outright fraud, it's at best a hidden—and therefore misleading—marketing attempt we want you to be aware of.
December 5, 2023Scam alert: phishing attempts to access NetID & MFA-Duo credentials
Beware of phishing attempts to access your MFA-Duo credentials. If you fall for the scam, criminals could then attempt to reroute your direct deposit information.
November 9, 202310/20 phishing alert! Subject: “[Not Virus Scanned] 16.89 % Salary Increase Letter 20 October 2023”
There's an active phishing campaign on campus in which the attacker impersonates a payroll & employees relations specialist sending information about a pay increase. The email asks recipients to click an attached PDF.
October 20, 20238/19 phishing alert! Subject: “Open position & student welfare”
Watch out for an active phishing campaign on campus in which the attacker offers a a part-time, work-from-home job.
August 21, 20234/7 phishing alert! Subject: “Alert: Possible Exposure to Monkeypox Virus at the University”
In an active phishing campaign to UW email addresses, scammers prompt you to enter your NetID and password on a fake profile page. The scammers then use this information to change your direct deposit information.
April 7, 202311/29 phishing alert! Subject: “Your $3500 from The University of Wisconsin”
There's an active phishing campaign on campus in which the attacker impersonates a benefits specialist offering a $3,500 end-of-year bonus. The email asks recipients to click a link leading to a fake benefits site where they're prompted to enter login information.
November 29, 202211/9 spam & tech support scam alert: Adult themed email from .ru domains
The Cybersecurity Operations Center and Information Technology’s Office 365 email team have been tracking an increase in spam email messages promoting adult websites. Some of these messages include links to tech support scam webpages.
November 9, 20228/29 phishing alert! Subject: “School Job Offer”
Watch out for an active phishing campaign on campus in which the attacker offers a a part-time, work-from-home job.
August 29, 2022Email phishing alert: subject line “ATTENTION!!!”
Scammers recently sent a phony Office 365 login alert. Learn how to protect yourself!
June 1, 2022Email phishing alert: Subject line “IT Desk Message Incident…”
Scammers recently sent a phony email quota message. Learn how to protect yourself.
May 16, 20223/17 phishing alert! Subject: “UNICEF Paid part-time job”
Watch out for an active phishing campaign on campus in which the attacker impersonates UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore. The email message advertises a part-time, work-from-home job.
March 17, 2022Beware of Ukraine-themed phishing scams
Although there are no current credible Russian cybersecurity threats to U.S. universities, UW's cybersecurity team is prepared to prevent cyberattacks. Do your part by identifying and reporting phishing scams related to Ukraine.
March 15, 20222/9 Email phishing alert: Subject line “IT Security Update”
Scammers recently sent a message that appears to be from the DoIT Help Desk, but was actually a forgery. Learn how to protect yourself.
February 9, 20221/28 Email phishing alert: Subject line “Debit Alert”
Scammers recently sent a message that appears to be from Chase Bank, but was actually a forgery. Learn how to protect yourself.
January 28, 202210/25 BEC Email phishing alert: scammers impersonate leadership
Scammers recently sent a Business Email Compromise message that appears to be from a campus leader's personal Gmail account, but was actually a forgery. Learn how to protect yourself.
October 26, 202110/11 Phishing Alert! Subject: “Evaluation of State Retirement Benefits for University of Wisconsin System”
There are active phishing campaigns on campus in which the attacker impersonates a consultant offering retirement advice. The email asks recipients to click a link to schedule an appointment or to unsubscribe.
October 12, 20218/31 Phishing Alert! Subject: “Important”
Watch out for an active phishing campaign on campus in which the attacker impersonates Chancellor Rebecca Blank. The email message asks recipients if they're available and includes a linked image that cannot be displayed.
September 1, 20218/25 Phishing Alert! Subject: “Notification”
Beware of an active phishing campaign on campus in which the attacker impersonates a UW–Madison employee support unit. The message asks recipients to click a link to a fake site promising $7,750 worth of Bitcoin in financial assistance.
August 25, 20218/16 Phishing Alert! Subject: “Benefits”
There's an active phishing campaign targeting UW–Madison email addresses. The attacker offers to provide financial assistance to qualifying employees. Sure signs it's bogus: misspellings and a link to a non-UW URL.
August 17, 20216/28 Phishing Alert: Subject – “IRS Announces New Programs That Forgives Millions”
There's an active phishing campaign targeting UW–Madison email addresses. The attacker offers info on a tax-forgiveness program. A sure sign it's bogus: grammatical error in the subject line.
June 28, 20216/28 Phishing Alert: Subject – “Wisconsin” or “support team”
There's an active phishing campaign targeting UW–Madison email addresses. The attacker impersonates a UW–Madison sender and offers significant financial relief.
June 28, 20216/21 Phishing Alert: Subject – “UW-Madison Account Update”
There's an active phishing campaign targeting university faculty, staff and students. The attacker impersonates the UW–Madison "IT Help Desk" and asks the recipient to "update email account." Don't click! Details here.
June 22, 20216/15 Phishing Alerts: Subjects – “Green dot” or “support team”
Beware of 2 active phishing campaigns on campus in which attackers impersonates UW–Madison employee support units. The campaigns' email messages ask recipients to click a link to visit a fake COVID-19 benefits site, promising $2,300 in financial assistance.
June 15, 2021Warning: Active Phishing Campaigns
The Office of Cybersecurity is aware of 2 active phishing campaigns in which the attacker impersonates UW–Madison IT service units. The latest phishing emails were sent the evening of Apr 6, but the attacks can occur at any time. Please be on the lookout.
April 7, 2021Be Careful About Sharing Your Vaccine Card On Social Media
We get it. If you’re getting vaccinated, you may be feeling a little excited. But if you take a selfie with your card and post it on social, you might be signing up for more than just being “vac-SEEN” by your friends and family.
April 7, 2021Income tax impersonation scam targets .edu email addresses
The Internal Revenue Service warns of an ongoing IRS-impersonation scam that appears to primarily target educational institutions, including students and staff who have ".edu" email addresses.
March 31, 2021Beware of these income tax scams in 2021
Learn to recognize and protect yourself from tax scams that are already being reported this year.
February 16, 2021Beware of scams targeting students
Learn about job-related scams and other phishing attempts that target students, and find out how to identify them.
August 19, 2020Protect yourself from COVID-19 contact tracing scams
Learn from the Federal Trade Commission about COVID-19 contact tracing scams and how to protect yourself from them.
July 8, 2020Employees advised to watch for unemployment fraud and phone scams
UW–Madison has become aware of unemployment-insurance phone scams and fraudulent filing attempts. Be aware, stay safe.
June 29, 2020COVID-19 consumer warnings & safety tips
Two recently published articles offer relevant and useful information for staying cybersecure online.
June 3, 2020New COVID-19 phishing email impersonates campus leadership
A new COVID-19 related phishing campaign on has appeared campus, where the attacker impersonates UW–Madison leadership. Learn how to protect yourself.
May 7, 2020Watch for a human resources phishing attempt
A new phishing campaign impersonates your HR department. Learn how to identify it and what to do.
April 30, 2020Beware of scammers using social media quizzes, photos to steal personal information
Participating in such fun could bring risks even bigger than '80s senior picture hair.
April 22, 2020Coronavirus relief check scams
If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the Treasury Department offering money in exchange for personal financial information or a charge of any kind please do not respond. These are scams.
April 16, 2020Sexual harassment training phishing scam
If you receive an email with the subject "Discrimination/Sexual Harassment Prevention Training” it's probably a scam.
April 16, 2020Watch for a Webex phishing attempt
Learn how to identify the Webex phishing attempt and what actions you should take if you receive it.
April 11, 2020Scammers use COVID-19 to profit off of fear
Criminals are using our COVID-19 fears to attempt scams via email, US mail, text, and phone. Learn how to protect yourself!
April 8, 2020Beware of COVID-19 phishing attempts and websites
It didn’t take long for cybercriminals to take advantage of the panic. Here are some tips to help avoid getting duped.
March 12, 2020
