Handling online attacks | University Communications and Marketing

Michigan State University encompasses a diverse community of scholars. The nature of scholarship is often collaborative, sometimes controversial, and occasionally public. Social media further tends to elevate the visibility of scholars and their work. As employees of a high-profile public institution subject to public disclosure laws, MSU employees might also expect to be subject to a higher level of public scrutiny and comment than others.

Online campaigns known as “trolling attacks” can compromise the privacy of email and social media accounts. Professional or personal information might be made public by being posted on the internet. Victims might be subjected to organized harassment or threats through online or other channels. This sort of harassment or trolling can stem from a single, disgruntled individual, or it can be part of a larger, coordinated effort from bad actors. Additionally, harassment can take many forms, including bot attacks, spam comments, threats, or doxxing.

MSU is committed to defending the core value of academic freedom and ensuring the personal safety of everyone in our university community. When MSU scholars experience threats or harassment through social media and other channels, a variety of resources can be accessed depending on the nature of the attack.

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ONLINE HARASSMENT

If you are experiencing online harassment, you should immediately do the following:

If a threat has been made or you fear that you or anyone else is in imminent danger, contact local law enforcement and/or the MSU Police Department (517-355-2221) immediately and file a report.
Preserve messages, emails, postings, or voicemails you receive as evidence. Take screenshots or save/print as a PDF file.
Notify your direct supervisor and consult your unit IT staff or MSU IT Services.

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE

Your college or unit communicator should be included in the conversation with your direct supervisor to serve as an additional resource.
IT staff or MSU IT Services can assist with technology related responses. Information related to securing digital information can be found at https://secureit.msu.edu/safe-computing/about.html.
Refrain from engaging with “trolls” online. You might consider stepping away from social media for a period.
You may also consider limiting places where your contact information is listed—this may include temporarily removing your social media handles, email address, and phone number from university and public websites.
Know the tools available on the social media platforms you use. If you believe another party is violating the terms of service for the social media platform by sending abusive messages, flag the behavior through the platform’s appropriate channel (see below for guidance on reporting abusive messages).
- Contact your dean or supervisor as a first step to discuss options for engaging with a social media specialist.
- Review MSU’s community guidelines as a reference resource for determining how and when to take action to remove comments.
If the attack affects your working conditions, your direct supervisor can help relay this information first to your college (dean or associate dean) and then to Academic Human Resources.
Continue to check in with the faculty or staff member in the months after the attack and alert mentors to help with anxiety and other management strategies going forward. Understandably, such attacks can impact productivity and the scholar’s reputation.
Certain forms of harassment may be covered under MSU’s Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct or Anti-Discrimination Policies. Information on how to report these instances can be found on MSU’s Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance website.

INSTRUCTOR/CLASSROOM CONSIDERATIONS

Establish expectations for collaboration in the syllabus and during the first class meeting(s)
A trolling attack may involve a student and could include recordings taken in your classroom.
- Understand that social media can rapidly escalate, leading to comments on anything you say.
- You have the right to prohibit any video or audio recording of your class unless it is for disability access purposes. See syllabus recommendations below.
- Consider that the attacks might or might not impact your students or disrupt your classes in some way.
- Consult with your department chair to discuss strategies and potential solutions.
Recommended syllabus text:
- “Recordings of the class, lecture notes, other materials created by the instructor, and screenshots of the class (including of online discussions) may not be shared with those not in the class or uploaded to other online environments. Impermissible use of class recordings and lecture notes or other material may subject the student to disciplinary action under the MSU Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy.”

For more information on the recommended syllabus text, visit provost.msu.edu under support and resources, “Can students record and share lectures?”

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Be aware of the potential emotional or psychological impact of online attacks on students and yourself. Encourage students to seek support from campus mental health resources if needed.
Faculty and staff can access resources through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
CAPS - Counseling, psychiatry, 24/7 crisis and more are available to students.
MSU Center for Survivors- For survivors of sexual assault who may be (re)triggered by online social media attacks. Center for Survivors provides free and confidential individual counseling, advocacy, and support groups to MSU students, staff, and faculty.
Consider filing a report with the Office of Student Support and Accountability (OSSA).

REPORTING ABUSIVE MESSAGES

Preserve messages and avoid engaging with the sender.
Social media abuse reporting tools:
MSU email/services abuse reporting tools:
- Office of Institutional Equity reporting: https://oie.msu.edu/file-a-report/index.html
- MSU confidential support: https://civilrights.msu.edu/file-a-report/confidential-resources.html
- MSU information security: Forward email to abuse@msu.edu or InformationSecurity@msu.edu
Personal email abuse reporting tools:
- Gmail—Report abuse: https://support.google.com/groups/answer/81275?hl=en
- Gmail—Report illegal content: https://support.google.com/legal/troubleshooter/1114905#ts=1115658%2C1115686
- Gmail—Report and avoid phishing: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/8253?hl=en
- Yahoo—Report abuse: https://help.yahoo.com/kb/SLN26401.html
- Microsoft/Outlook: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/deal-with-abuse-phishing-or-spoofing-in-outlook-com-0d882ea5-eedc-4bed-aebc-079ffa1105a3

PROACTIVE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Ensure any photographs posted online are not geo-tagged.
Ensure you and your family members’ social media profiles are private.
Establish different usernames, enable two-factor authentication, and use separate, strong passwords for each social media platform used (e.g., Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, etc.).
Use profile pictures that are non-identifying (landscapes, sports team logos, etc.).
Consider turning off or limiting comments on your posts so that certain keywords are not allowed, or only people that you follow may comment.
Delete old, unused social media accounts.
Hide friends and followers lists and regularly review your followers/following lists to remove people you don’t know.

GENERAL BEST PRACTICES

If you are experiencing harassment or negative comments, do not engage with the individual directly.
Add disclaimers to the description of your social media accounts that clearly state expressed opinions are your own and do not represent the University.

IF YOU ARE CONTACTED BY MEDIA

Before making any media response, promptly notify your department chair or unit director, who in turn should inform your college and its communications manager. University Communications and Marketing should also be notified and can help evaluate requests and offer media training.
Be aware that emails and other communications and records from MSU employees are subject to public disclosure under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act. Carefully evaluate any request to disclose or share information, and contact the MSU Freedom of Information Office if you receive any such request.

ADDITIONAL LINKS/POLICIES

Handling Online Harassment