To protect our community, IT Services employs multiple technologies and automated systems designed to detect and block phishing and scam attempts. We also provide regular security awareness training to help users recognize dangerous messages and respond appropriately.

However, the threat landscape is changing rapidly. With the rise of advanced artificial intelligence tools, phishing emails are becoming increasingly polished. In the past, poor grammar and awkward wording were clear red flags. Today, attackers rely on AI to generate messages that are grammatically perfect and highly convincing.

Despite these improvements, the core strategy of phishing has not changed: attackers aim to manipulate you into clicking a link, downloading an attachment, or sharing sensitive information. To do this, they rely heavily on human psychology.

Nearly all phishing messages include:

• Urgency 鈥� terms such as 鈥渋mmediately,鈥� 鈥渦rgent,鈥� or 鈥渁ction required鈥� designed to pressure you into acting without thinking.
  
• Fear or anxiety 鈥� warnings that something is wrong with your account, your paycheck, or your access.
  
• False trust 鈥� messages appearing to come from someone you know, a supervisor, or a familiar institution.
  

Whenever you receive an unexpected email, pause and ask yourself:

• Is this message trying to make me feel worried or rushed?
  
• Is it asking me to take action right away?
  
• Does the sender or link look slightly unusual?
  

If the answer is yes, there is a strong likelihood the message may be a phishing attempt.

If you ever feel unsure, do not click anything. Contact IT Services for guidance鈥攚e are here to help.

Stay safe, and enjoy a secure and peaceful holiday season.

The post Recognizing Modern Phishing in the Age of AI appeared first on Information Technology Services.

Please join us in-person or online as Dr. Veysel Erdag, Chief Information Security Officer at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, provides an interactive session regarding the effect of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on cybersecurity.聽

AI is transforming every corner of our campus, from advanced research to daily email. But this cutting-edge technology is a double-edged sword for security.

You will experience a high-impact presentation that moves beyond basic password tips to address the real threats of the future. We’ll explore how cybercriminals are weaponizing AI to launch PhD-level phishing attacks and hyper-realistic deepfakes (including a live demonstration of a cloned voice).

Learn the essential strategies and human vigilance needed to defend our sensitive data and digital identities against adversaries who now move at machine speed.

Key Takeaways:

• The AI Threat:聽See a demonstration of how easy it is to clone a voice for fraud.
• The New Red Flags:聽Learn to spot attacks when grammar is perfect and the voice sounds familiar.
• Your Action Plan:聽Get 3 essential, non-technical steps you can take today to protect your credentials and confidential information.

In-person presentation:

11:30 – 12:30 p.m. Thursday, October 30, 2025
DSC Meeting Room 205D聽

You can join us online by clicking the following link:

Your safety is our top priority and this session is an essential part of your cybersecurity awareness training.

The entire campus community is invited to this free event.

The post The AI Double-Edged Sword: Protecting Our Campus in the Age of Intelligent Machines appeared first on Information Technology Services.

While AI helps us live, move, and achieve results quickly, it also introduces new risks and threats, including cybersecurity and privacy concerns.

AI Needs Data – Huge Data

Every AI system requires a massive amount of data to produce accurate results. When you start using any AI-enabled system, it begins collecting data about you. This data, gathered from your systems and files, is used by the AI to function effectively. If you are conducting research, be cautious about what you share. Similarly, if you are developing software, be mindful of what you ask AI to help with and what you upload or share. Your research and intellectual property may be used by AI systems and potentially accessed by other users.

AI May Be Biased

AI systems rely on extensive data resources, and the results they generate are influenced by the data they use. Feeding an AI system with a single source of information can lead to biased outcomes. Always double-check the results from AI systems to ensure they are not biased.

Reliability of AI Results

AI generates results based on the data it has, which may not always include information relevant to your query. Instead of admitting a lack of information, AI systems might produce incorrect or misleading results. Therefore, do not fully rely on AI-generated outcomes and always fact-check the information.

AI Enables More Sophisticated Cyber Attacks

While AI is a powerful tool for productivity, it also aids attackers. We are witnessing more sophisticated phishing emails, crafted with improved language thanks to AI. AI helps attackers develop adaptive malicious software, making it harder to detect. Additionally, AI can collect information about us, enabling targeted attacks.

Protect Yourself

To safeguard against these risks, follow cybersecurity best practices. Enable multi-factor authentication, use complex passphrases, and monitor your online activities. Be cautious about clicking links or opening attachments in emails. When using AI, think carefully about the information you share, especially if it involves sensitive or proprietary data.

If you need additional information or have any questions, please contact IT Services.

The post AI: Transforming Daily Life and Work, but Not Without Risks appeared first on Information Technology Services.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact IT Services.

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AI, powered by advanced deep-learning algorithms, can autonomously create content that mimics human-like creativity. From generating written articles to crafting lifelike images and videos, these systems operate on vast datasets (i.e. collections of data) and learning patterns to produce content with minimal human intervention.

AI systems often require large sets of data to produce accurate and diverse outputs. In addition to already existing datasets in AI systems, all applications and systems continue to use information and data fed by users while generating images, texts, videos, or other content. Data submitted and processed using AI becomes part of the AI cloud for an indefinite time during the generation phase.

If you are planning to use AI systems for research or personal needs, consider incorporating digital watermarks or other tracing mechanisms such as robust access control and data encryption, when creating content. These measures can help identify the source of the content and track its usage, providing a layer of protection for IP rights.

The era of AI brings with it unparalleled opportunities for creativity and innovation, but it also demands a heightened commitment to privacy and IP protection. There is potential to expose sensitive personally identifiable information (PII) as well as to become vulnerable to legal risks that may include IP infringement. AI users must think carefully about when, where, and how AI is utilized.

The post Navigating the Era of Generative AI: Safeguarding Privacy and Intellectual Property appeared first on Information Technology Services.