Someone is seeking a lot of contact with me and I'm not sure about it.

Students do attract attention, sometimes unwelcome, from people outside the university. Extremists of all kinds, whether right-wing racists, animal rights activists who resort to violence, or religious/political extremists all do 'talent-spot' on university campuses for people they can exploit or recruit.

In the current atmosphere of concern that can surround Muslim students, on a worst-case scenario you could find yourself coming to the attention of different groups you may not welcome ­– whether it is the media looking for a shocking story about 'extremism in the universities', or extremists themselves, or indeed from the police or security services.

It is practical to realise you could be exploited – by the media, or by groups looking to 'talent-spot' for causes or actions that may claim to be 'Islamic' but are contrary to the teachings of Islam. You could also be vulnerable and at risk – to unwelcome exposure from the media, or suspicious scrutiny for authority figures, or to extremists.

The same features will attract all three of these kinds of unwanted attention:

- Advocacy of 'extreme' political views, particularly those that could be viewed as advocating violence.
- Views or speech that could be deemed to be inciting hatred or racism.
- Any activity involving or attracting protesters. Well-meaning and ethical people who are genuinely troubled over moral and political issues can be vulnerable to exploitation, whatever the issue. It takes a high level of expertise to recognise someone who may be from a potentially destructive group.

Counter-terrorist practitioners caution that recruiters to violent extremism have become increasingly sophisticated in their 'talent-spotting', selection, grooming and recruitment of vulnerable individuals. A 'talent-spotting' process often takes place in which individuals identify potential recruits at events on the campus. An extended period of contact may ensue; 'vetting' and 'screening' take place, as they have become more wary in the increasingly hostile environment. An unusual degree of interest may be shown in the targeted person's background (such as, whether they may have a criminal record or show a willingness to take major risks). They may be invited to attend other groups or events off campus.

Here are some suggested Do's and Don'ts:

Do feel confident and assertive about questioning someone you don't know if they arouse your suspicions. Feel confident about rebuffing advances or invitations to other events.

Do test the knowledge, information or claims made by these people against the opinions of others. True knowledge can stand up to the reality-test, and within the community of Islam there is usually a good reason that a minority opinion is in a minority.

Don't allow yourself to be manipulated or exploited. For example, don't allow your motives to be questioned in refusing an invitation to go to a different group or event off campus. Don't allow your sincerity, commitment, faith, manhood or whatever to be questioned if you do not do or accept what they say.

Don't give out personal contact details, mobile phone number etc. for yourself or your fellow students to a new contact whose background you don't know well.

Above all:

Empower yourself so that you can resist manipulation or exploitation. In terms of your own skills, there are two areas you can focus on. One is to increase your range of communication skills and interpersonal strategies for dealing with difficult conversations.

The other is to set up the conditions to improve your own critical thinking so that you can 'deconstruct' distorted thinking and messages that come your way.