Before a scammer targets specific individuals with phishing emails, they may begin by sending out less sophisticated messages that ask for sensitive information. They will then use those details to craft personalized messages and choose their victims in this way. Phishing attacks are some of the most common and serious cyberattacks out there, and this is why. They are an effective way for scammers to obtain information about their targets.
When registering for a service online, you may be asked to provide a great deal of personal information, ranging from your name and address to your banking details or social security number. While most companies go through a great deal of effort to protect this information, that does not stop hackers from attempting to break into their databases. In a successful attack, the malicious group or individual may be able to steal these records and distribute them online, often through illegal marketplaces on the dark web.
Public records are another way to track down information about someone. Scammers make use of census, voting, property, and criminal records to find information about their target. These kinds of records are made public by the United States government, meaning scammers can obtain details about you without breaking any laws. Furthermore, there are many large data broker companies that search these public records and compile databases of personal information about people.
Most people today have at least one social media account, and chances are you have shared information about yourself and your activities on that platform. Whether it be Instagram, Facebook, or even LinkedIn, sharing information on these platforms means that anyone with access to your profile can see it. If your profile is public, then anyone (including scammers) can keep track of your profile and look for your name, where you live, where you work, who your friends are, and where you live. These, and many more details, can all be used against you in scams.
While it can be labor intensive and logistically challenging, Fall Move-In is an exercise that many students and parents look back on fondly. Now, with Fall Semester behind them, and Spring Semester beginning, those first few days living on campus can seem like a distant memory. Want to see one of YOUR photos in “IN A FLASH?” Submit your Kent State-related photos to InAFlash@kent.edu and you may see them in a future Kent State Today post. Photos should be framed -horizontally- and include a brief description of what’s happening in the photo al...
New students for Spring 2025 are invited to a welcome event on Friday, Jan. 10.At New Student Welcome, you will have the opportunity to meet our helpful faculty, staff and students. You'll be able to find your classrooms, register your vehicle to receive your parking permit, purchase your textbooks, and so much more!Take a guided tour to explore campus and be sure to accomplish the remaining items on your New Student Checklist.NEW STUDENT WELCOMEFriday, Jan. 10, 202510 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Check your Kent State email to register!There will be swag and resources to walk away with, so don't mi...
The remarks in a video shared Jan. 2, 2025, with Kent State University are antisemitic, and we condemn them. References to the October 2023 massacre are abhorrent and stand in stark contrast to our institutional commitment to peaceful dialogue, as well as our core values of kindness and respect. Now more than ever, and especially in light of the tragic attack in New Orleans, we call for understanding and dialogue as the path to avoiding violence, and destruction. The remarks were not made on a Kent State campus, nor as part of any official event or program. ...
Antonio Gates’ journey from Kent State basketball standout to NFL greatness has moved one step closer to football immortality. The former Golden Flash has been named one of 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, while his fellow Kent State alumnus James Harrison did not advance from the semifinalist round. Gates dominated the hardwood at Kent State from 2001-03, leading the Golden Flashes to their first MAC regular-season championship and a historic NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance. The university retired his No. 44 and inducted him into their Varsity “K” At...
Kent State University at Ashtabula has announced a new date to honor the fall graduating class as it will hold the campus’s 79th commencement exercises on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, beginning at 6 p.m. in Susan J. Stocker Hall."We are thrilled to announce the new date for our commencement ceremony, a time to celebrate the incredible achievements of our graduating class,” said R. William (Bill) Ayres, IV, Ph.D., dean and chief administrative officer at Kent State Ashtabula. “While we had to adjust our original plans, we remain committed to honoring the hard work and dedication of our students, thei...
