Follow these tips to keep yourself and your devices safe from malware that can come from ill-intentioned emails.
- Don't open emails from someone you don't know or trust. If it seems fishy, it probably is. Delete the message and move on.
- Avoid sending any sensitive information over email. When you send a message, you no longer have control over what is done with it or to whom it is forwarded.
- Sensitive information such as passwords, bank account numbers and social security numbers should never be sent via email.
- If you receive or believe you have received a phishing email that requests this information or other personal information, let IT know about this. Additionally, you can report it as junk by clicking on the "Junk" button in the email and click "Block Sender".
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Never open an attachment within an email from a company or person you don't know (or that you were not expecting).
- Attachments may contain viruses, which can seriously damage your computer.
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Never reply to or click on links inside spam emails.
- Replying to, clicking on links within, or even unsubscribing from spam emails typically only informs the sender that they have found an active email address to which they'll send more spam emails.
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Avoid unsolicited bulk mail.
- Unsolicited bulk email messages can fill up your mailbox and become extremely frustrating. To avoid this:
- Don't give your email address to sites you don't trust.
- Don't post your email address to public places online like message boards & comment boards.
- Keep your work email private except from people that you really want to hear from.
Below is an example of a Phishing Email. The items to notice on this are:
- The actual email address for Paul is incorrect.
- The sender has requested a prompt response, although that is not unusual for the work place. So be sure to look for other clues as well.
- The sender is requesting your phone number.
What other items in the email can you see that is odd for emails that come from Paul?
Follow this link to Microsoft and read their tips. They also provide a video to review as well: Protect yourself from phishing (microsoft.com)
When you have time, please take this phishing quiz with Google. Just enter your information and then click on "Get Started". The results are for you only and do not need to be shared with anyone. This exercise is to teach and show you how sneaky these phishing emails can be. Please click the "Show Me" after each answer you provide so you can get some extra information about that particular test.
I challenge you to do better than "Bob".