“TRUE OR FALSE?”: AMANZHOLOV UNIVERSITY STUDENTS LEARNED TO RECOGNIZE PHISHING

Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University held an event dedicated to information security and safe behavior in the digital environment. The meeting entitled “True or False: Recognizing Phishing” was organized as part of activities held in September in the Republic of Kazakhstan to promote cybersecurity awareness and responsible attitudes toward the protection of digital information.

The participants were second-year students of the Information Systems educational program. The main focus was on the practical development of skills for identifying phishing attacks, recognizing suspicious messages and emails, and building safe online behavior.

During the meeting, students examined examples of legitimate and phishing messages and took part in practical tasks aimed at determining their authenticity. They were asked to carefully analyze the content of messages, sender addresses, links, the nature of requests, and other signs that could indicate an attempt at fraud.

The “True or False” format attracted particular interest, allowing participants not only to test their existing knowledge but also to apply it to specific situations. Students explained their answers, discussed common signs of phishing, and identified which user actions can increase or reduce the level of digital security.

The practical nature of the event contributed to the development of critical thinking, attentiveness, and informed decision-making skills when using digital resources. Particular attention was paid to the importance of verifying the source of information, avoiding suspicious links, and treating messages requesting personal or confidential data with caution.

At the end of the event, students had an opportunity to ask questions, exchange views, and discuss current methods of protection against phishing threats. The knowledge and practical skills gained are important for the everyday use of digital services and contribute to the development of a responsible information security culture.