THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 VOLUME 94 ■ ISSUE 44
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NEWS
SPORTS
Texas Tech faculty work to increase STI awareness.
Tech alumna to represent USA in 2020 Olympics.
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SPORTS OPINIONS CROSSWORD CLASSIFIEDS SUDOKU
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CAMPUS
Tech information technology staff stress caution during national events By ADÁN RUBIO
News & L a Vida Editor Whether it be the presence of the coronavirus in the country or other events impacting the nation, one may not realize the different factors that prompt an increase in cyberattacks. With people’s increasing presence online, the risk of facing a cyberattack could be higher for different reasons. Along with this, different current events, and the current tax season, could provide opportunities for an increase in cyberattacks. Regarding the coronavirus, Sam Segran, chief information officer and vice president for IT at Texas Tech, said cybercriminals take advantage of global events, such as the spread of the coronavirus. “Anytime when you have any major global event, people have a tendency to go looking for that information at that time, and then cybercriminals will piggyback on information like that to try to send malware or send people to infected websites, infected links,” he said. “That’s the danger that exists.”
They are trying to get a lot of your personal information too, on the premise of validating who you are that they are really talking to. JEFF BARRINGTON INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER The general public has a hard time assessing and confirming information regarding a global event, Segran said. This issue is worse on social media, as it can be hard for people to figure out where information is coming from and if a source is credible.
With the spread of the coronavirus, people looking for information about the virus or who are wanting to donate to certain causes are at risk of cyberattacks, as cybercriminals send out links that contain malware, Segran said. Even though some people have programs, such as McAfee SiteAdvisor, to determine the risk of certain websites, people can still be at risk, Segran said. People on social media will not be able to easily determine if a link contains malware. “A lot of times, when you go to a website, you can tell, OK, this particular sourced information is coming from ABC News or CNN News or BBC News. You have a certain level of assurance,” he said. “But if people are sending information on the social network with links that seem to go somewhere you don’t know where it’s going to, there is the associated danger and risk that comes from that.” Whether it be on browsers that display a lot of links or on one’s social media account, one needs to be aware of the different risks, Segran said. “The issue really is not about eliminating all risk,” he said. “It’s really about lowering the risk so that they can get some good information without necessarily getting infected.” Despite the impact of the coronavirus, other events could factor into the risk of cyberattacks. Even though he has not seen specific cyberattack examples that have resulted from news about the coronavirus, Segran said one needs to consider that major events, such as national disasters or relief efforts after hurricanes hit, prompt an increase in cybercriminal activity. “With events like that, generally, it is an infection where they can download a payload onto your system, infect your system or whatever,” he said regarding what certain risky links could do. In addition to the spread of the coronavirus, the current tax season may present
MIDWEEK SWEEP
opportunities for cybercriminals to attempt to access one’s personal information. “IRS is a little bit different,” he said regarding cyber attacks that occur because of tax season. “The IRS one is really about tricking you, conning you.” Frauds regarding social security are common, Segran said. Whether it be through an email that consists of personal information the cybercriminal has gathered or over the phone, Segran said people will trick others to give up information for the purpose of accessing a person’s money. “In the last few years, we have seen where cybercriminals call you by phone, and then they threaten you,” he said. “In the old days, they used to try to just trick you.” This type of scare tactic has worked, Segran said. In 2018, people reported losing close to $1.48 billion, which is a 38 percent in-
Tech football begins spring practice Staff Writer
MADELINE DIFFEE/The Daily Toreador
SEE TECH SAFETY, PG. 3
FOOTBALL
By ZACH RICHARDS
Senior infielder Brian Klein makes a run for first base during the Texas Tech baseball game against UNLV on Wednesday, Mar. 4, 2020, at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park. The Red Raiders defeated the Rebels, 11-3, to complete the midweek series sweep.
crease from 2017, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Jeff Barrington, assistant vice president for IT and information security officer at Tech, said typically cybercriminals will call people claiming to be the IRS and will say the person owes them money. “They are trying to get a lot of your personal information too, on the premise of validating who you are that they are really talking to,” he said. “They’ll also ask you to send money to a different bank account or some other place, or else somebody’s going to show up at your door and take you to jail for not paying your taxes and things like that.” One should go to the IRS website for questions, Barrington said. The IRS will not call people about personal information.
After a near-100-day layoff, the Texas Tech football team has reequipped their pads to begin its spring season. With their first spring practice of the season on Tuesday, the Red Raiders are looking to get back on track after a suboptimal 2019 season, where they finished second-to-last in the Big 12 with a 2-7 record and an overall 4-8 record. Last season was the first of head coach Matt Wells’ tenure at Tech, and despite a down finish in conference standings, the Red Raiders could improve in the team’s second season under Wells. “We had a good first practice energy. It looked a lot better than last year’s day one, I know that,” Wells said. “We’re starting to learn how to do things right off the field, the value of hard work in the weight room, seeing how to eat right and lift. We’re a lot further along a year later but still not where we need to be.” One issue in the last few seasons of Tech football has been its inconsistencies on the defensive side of the ball. Last season, the Red Raiders were among the worst statistical defenses in the country, allowing 480.3 yards per game and ranking No. 127 nationally, worst
of all Power 5 programs, according to sportsreference.com. In an attempt to tighten up on the defensive side of the ball, Wells brought in former Duke coach Derek Jones. Jones will serve as the program’s associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Another integral addition to the defense was former LSU championship lead defensive analyst Kevin Cosgrove, who will serve as the new linebacker’s coach. “Derek and coach Cosgrove fit in good,” Wells said. “It actually seemed kind of seamless.” Several members of Tech’s secondary also recognized what new coaches like Jones bring to the table. “He’s a great guy and he’s very passionate. He’s just as passionate as we are as players,” junior defensive back Adrian Frye said. “Him being skilled and experienced helps with him teaching and relating to us. He can talk to us because he’s been through what we’ve been through and seen the things we’ve seen. With him giving us that guidance, everything is really clicking.” The Red Raiders look to vastly improve a struggling defense, and with the new additions, they may be on pace to do so. A much more aggressive strategy and mindset is fueling the Raiders’ defense.
SEE FOOTBALL, PG. 5