IT Tech Tip: Is It Phishing or Is It Real?

From: Webmaster [mailto:webmaster@info.edu]
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 11:58 AM
Subject: Mailbox Shutdown Notification
You are expected to verify your email account to avoid mailbox shutdown by furnishing us with the following details:
Login Username:
Login password: **
To avoid shutting down of your mailbox which could lead to loss of your important files on our server, you must send these details on receipt of this message.
Thank you very much.
Webmaster

Is this message real or phishing? Hopefully, you said “phishing,” because you remembered seeing the recent email reminder we sent about this exact phishing attempt. While the Webmaster email address does contain “@info.edu,” this is not a Keene State College email address (keene.edu). It is important to remember that the IT Group HelpDesk will never ask you verify any account information in an email. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is true for any legitimate institution – bank, credit unions, credit card agencies, IRS, and more. Before you reply and compromise your account information, contact your “real” institution or the HelpDesk and ask for their help. Don’t use the telephone number or email address provided in the email; look up the correct information yourself. The IT Group HelpDesk is here to help you be aware of safe computing practices. If you ever have any questions, feel free to contact us at 8-2532, email helpdesk@keene.edu, or stop by our office on the second floor of Elliot Hall.