Ranata DeGennaro posted on April 22, 2020 10:07
Tips for recognizing and avoiding phishing emails, calls, & texts
With the spread of Covid-19, fraudulent emails, calls and text messages have increased.
To stay safe, know what to look for:
· Sense of Urgency - Fraudulent emails and texts often try to create a sense of urgency or demand immediate action. The goal is to get you to click on a link and provide personal information without thinking.
· Links to Phishing Sites or Malicious Applications - If you receive a link and you are unsure about the sender or the purpose of the link, do not click on it. The link could bring you to a site with destructive software.
· Requests for Personal Information - An email, call, or text that seeks personal information, like your Social Security number or login information, is a phishing scam. Legitimate government agencies and Le Moyne never ask for that type of information in texts or emails. Do not respond to these requests with personal data.
· Spoofed/Impersonated Sender - Is the correspondence from a number or email you don’t recognize? Chances are, it is fraudulent. Follow up directly with the agency or person the sender is claiming to be using other means, such as a verified phone number.
· Spelling and Grammatical Mistakes - Emails and texts with spelling, punctuation and grammar errors are likely to be fraudulent.
Additionally, Practice Good Password Management
o Use complex passphrases for passwords.
o Do not reuse passwords for multiple accounts.
o Never share your passwords with anyone.
o Enable two factor authentication on your work and personal accounts.
Contact the Le Moyne IT Service Desk with any cybersecurity questions at https://servicedesk.lemoyne.edu