Feed Content

Feed:

Continuing Phishing attempts

Posted: 10/22/2018 4:15:00 PM

Hello Titans,

 

This message is to inform you that our campus has been targeted by another Phishing attempt.  The email subject may be “password (xxxxxxxx) for (username@tacomacc.edu) is compromised”.

 

This email may show a valid password, although one that is very old and no longer in use.  The claim is that a hacker gained access to your password and devices.  It adds legitimacy by utilizing an old password, and makes a variety of threats to expose “behaviors”.  These claims are not legitimate.  They are designed to create a sense of urgency to extract payment (the most recent example requests payment by Bitcoin).

 

Phishing attempts can be compelling, and are designed to evoke a response.  Please be sure to reach out to the IT department if you find yourself in such a situation, and are feeling pressured to act.  If you received the email, please delete it and empty your deleted items.

 

  For more information on Phishing, please see below:

 

Hackers will impersonate high-profile websites (e.g., eBay, Amazon, Facebook, etc.) or entities such as the IRS or banks, and say that they’re experiencing trouble with your account or they want to verify information; all you have to do to fix it is to send them your username and password to verify your authenticity or click on a link to verify information. 

 

Watch out for these scams!

 

Things to remember:

  1. If you don’t recognize the sender of the email, don’t trust any attachments or hyperlinks.
  2. Normally, banks or other finance-related institutions won’t ask you to verify information through email.
  3. If you receive an email that you suspect is not legitimate, please contact the TCC IT Help Desk at 253.460.HELP (4357) or support@tacomacc.edu.

 

 

 

 

5 Email Security Tips

 

Email and computers are a potential gateway for hackers, viruses, and other impropriety.  Here are 5 quick tips to help you stay safe and secure.

 

  1. Stay watchful and cautious.

It’s easy for an unauthorized person to email you and pretend to be a vendor or business partner. Be cautious and double-check before responding to sensitive requests.

 

  1. Do not reuse passwords.

Using one password for all of your accounts is a mistake.  You should also have an entirely unique password for each of your accounts.

 

  1. Change your passwords regularly.

Changing your passwords regularly will help to reduce the risk of your password falling into the wrong hands over time.

 

  1. Beware of phishing scams.

Hackers will imitate and impersonate high-profile websites (e.g., eBay, Amazon, Facebook, etc.) and say that they’re experiencing trouble with your account; all you have to do to fix it is to send them your username and password to verify your authenticity.  Watch out for these scams!

 

  1. If you see something, say something.

Most importantly, report any suspicious behavior to the TCC IT Help Desk.

 

 

Information Technology | Tacoma Community College

Faculty & Staff: 253.460.HELP (4357)

Students: 253.566.5176

Click here for up-to-date IT Notifications and Alerts.