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30 August 2024

Malware security alert! What you need to know

The Deakin Cyber Security team has identified a recent security incident where the usernames and passwords of a small number of current Deakin students and staff members have been compromised and posted on the dark web.

If your Deakin account is one of those affected, we’ll contact you directly to help you reset your password using the Deakin Password Reset Portal.

Even if you haven’t been directly impacted by this incident, it’s important to be careful with protecting your accounts and devices.

How did this happen?

This leak originated from malware, malicious software used by cyber criminals to steal your data or damage your system, which was installed on people’s personal devices.

Malware can often spread through seemingly harmless downloads or installations. There are several signs you may notice that could be due to a malware infection, such as your device consistently slows down, or you may notice unexpected files and programs on your device.

The criminals then posted the stolen account details on ‘the dark web’, which refers to websites that are hidden and only accessible through special tools and can sometimes be used for nefarious or illegal activities such as selling people’s personal information and log-in details.

How to stay safe

We recommend you follow the advice below to better keep your Deakin and other accounts protected.

Where you can get more information or help



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