Media of University of Babylon | Awareness Workshop on Cyber Blackmail at the College of Information Technology

Media of University of Babylon - كلية الطب

Awareness Workshop on Cyber Blackmail at the College of Information Technology

by : Duhaa Fadill Abbas

Date : 08/5/2025 21:21:08 PM

Veiw : 15

Awareness Workshop on Cyber Blackmail at the College of Information Technology

Duhaa Fadill Abbas
Under the auspices of the Women s Affairs Unit and in collaboration with the Department of Cybersecurity at the College of Information Technology, an awareness workshop titled "Cyber Blackmail: Risks and Preventive Measures" was held, presented by Assistant Lecturers Safaa Ridha Jasem and Noor Razaq Obaid, with the participation of a number of students and faculty members.

The workshop addressed cyber blackmail as one of the most pressing threats in today’s digital landscape, wherein perpetrators coerce victims by threatening to publish sensitive or private information to achieve material or emotional gains. The speakers explored the profound psychological and social consequences of such crimes, including anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and a loss of trust in personal relationships. Financial repercussions were also discussed, particularly those stemming from ransom payments and identity theft involving banking data.

Participants were introduced to various tactics employed by cybercriminals, such as device hacking, social engineering techniques, and data manipulation using artificial intelligence tools to create falsified images or voice recordings.

The core objective of the workshop was to enhance digital awareness among students by emphasizing safe online practices and the importance of not sharing sensitive personal data over the internet. It also highlighted the necessity of promptly reporting any cyber threats and refraining from responding to blackmail demands under any circumstances.

Preventive strategies were outlined, including the use of reliable security software, routine system updates, cautious handling of suspicious links or attachments, and encouraging victims to seek both psychological and legal support through official channels.

The session concluded with an engaging discussion and interactive Q&A session, where attendees shared concerns and strategies for self-protection against such crimes. The event reaffirmed the critical role of ongoing educational initiatives in fostering a culture of digital safety within the academic community.