The Department of Environmental Engineering at the College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, organized a workshop on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, titled “Cyber Blackmail and Its Negative Impact on Iraqi Society.” The event was held under the supervision of the Head of the Department, Prof. Dr. Iyad Abdul-Hamzah Faisal, and organized by the University Psychological Counseling Unit and the Department’s Counseling Committee, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior / Minister’s Office / Department of Relations and Media. The workshop was attended by several faculty members and undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The workshop aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of cyber blackmail and its harmful effects on Iraqi society while providing participants with preventive and digital protection strategies. It highlighted major forms of cyber blackmail, such as threats involving personal content, account hacking, and the sending of threatening messages through email and social media platforms.
The workshop concluded with a set of key recommendations to enhance digital security and protect individuals from cyber blackmail risks. These included avoiding the sharing of private information or images online, using strong and complex passwords to secure accounts, exercising caution when interacting with strangers on social media, and reporting any blackmail attempts immediately to the relevant security authorities. Participants also emphasized the importance of strengthening digital literacy among students and the wider community, underscoring that cooperation between universities and security agencies forms a cornerstone in protecting individuals and society from cyber threats.
This workshop reaffirmed the vital role of universities in promoting digital awareness and protecting society from electronic risks, stressing the need for ongoing collaboration between academic institutions and security bodies to ensure a safe and secure digital environment for all.
