Security Alert: Scammers are using AI to target universities - and the fake emails look completely real
Posted on behalf of: Internal Communications
Last updated: Friday, 24 April 2026
Laptop
In a new UK-wide security alert, we have been told that hackers are targeting universities by sending messages that look like they’re from the university, lecturers, or IT support. There are no spelling mistakes. No obvious signs - that’s what makes this different and means you need to be extra vigilant.
What to look out for
- Any email asking you to click a link and log in - even if it looks like it came from someone you know
- An approval notification in your authenticator app (like Okta) that you didn’t trigger - never tap approve
- Urgent messages asking for your password, payment, or personal info
- Anything that feels slightly off - even if you can’t say why
If something seems wrong
- Don’t click anything - close the email
- Report it to IT Services through the portal
- If you think you’ve already clicked something, contact IT immediately - no judgement, just get help fast
Questions? Contact IT Services (opens email window) - we’d rather you check and it be nothing than not check at all.