E-mail hoaxes, phishing and spam attempts are a constant in our lives. Universities across the country have been subject to mass e-mail hoaxes and UNM is no different. A recent attempt involved a message from a false Bank of America web site asking the recipient to click on the link in the message and type in personal information. Fortunately, the Information Technology Services (ITS) was able to filter out the e-mail hoax. However, the potential for cyber security breaches remains and it is everyone’s responsibility to keep their personal information secure.
Here are some tips on handling e-mail hoaxes, spam and phishing attempts.
Don’t trust e-mail. E-mails asking for money or personal information are usually scams or phishing attempts. At UNM, we will never ask you for any sort of personal information through e-mail, so beware of false UNM messages asking you to click a link and change your password.
Links in e-mails are not always what they seem. It’s better to open another browser window and type in the link address rather than click on the link itself. Clicking on embedded links often opens malware, spyware, or takes you a false site where it will attempt to get your personal information.
Know who is e-mailing you. If you receive an e-mail from someone you don’t know, simply delete it. If you do open a message from someone and there is an attachment, save the attachment in your computer and allow your anti-virus software to scan it before opening it.
It is worth remembering that, today, more of our personal information than we would like is accessible online by hackers and thieves. ITS filters millions of spam e-mail messages each day, and unfortunately some do get through the security net. It is important for everyone to be aware of the types of phishing scams and false e-mail communications that are sent each day.
If you have questions or concerns about computer security or identity theft, contact the ITS Information Assurance Office at security@unm.edu.
If you're interested in pursuing a career in Information Assurance, UNM offers many opportunities, including internships, coops and a graduate program. For more information visit UNM's Center for Information Assurance Research and Education (CIARE) at Information Assurance.
Media Contact: Vanessa Baca, (505) 277-0987; e-mail: vjbaca1@unm.edu