Tech Tip of the Week: Is it Phishing or is it Real?

From the IT Group:

In the spirit of October Security Awareness Month, the IT Group would like to continue to reinforce how you can identify a phishing e-mail.

Is it phishing or is it real?

—–Original Message—–
From: motoxrox@clear.net.nz [mailto:motoxrox@clear.net.nz] On Behalf Of abuse@keene.edu
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 5:42 PM
To: email@keene.edu
Subject: keene.edu Report

keene.edu Report

Your email account has been reported for numerous spam activities from a foreign ip recently. As a result, keene.edu has received advice to suspend your account.
However, you might not be the one promoting this Spam, as your email account might have been compromised. To protect your account from sending spam mails, you are to confirm your true ownership of this account by providing your Username () and Password () as a reply to this
message. On receipt of the requested information, the keene.edu email support shall block your account from spam.

Failure to do this will violate the keene.edu email terms & conditions. This will render your account inactive.

NOTE: You will be send a password reset message in next seven (7) working days after undergoing this process for security reasons.

Keene State College - Webmail Access (Powered By gmail).

This is absolutely phishing.

Just remember, the IT Group has a communication template to follow for all of our communications to campus. Here is a quick list of things to look for and remember:

1. No legitimate institution, including KSC and the KSC IT Group HelpDesk will ever ask you for personal information through e-mail. There are no exceptions to this. Period!
2. IT Group HelpDesk e-mail will be addressed to the GAL, a specific group (i.e. teaching faculty) or you personally. It will be familiar to you.
3. We will provide you the reason behind our communication (routine maintenance, infrastructure upgrade, etc.).
4. We always provide our contact information (including phone number, e-mail address, and building location).
5. We always tell you to contact the HelpDesk if you have any questions or concerns.

It is important to stay vigilant of phishing attempts both here on campus and at home. Learn to recognize the signs and above all - if they are asking for personal information - it is a phishing attempt!

For more information, please visit the IT Group Security website at: www.keene.edu/it/security/ or feel free to visit the HelpDesk on the 2nd floor of Elliot Hall, e-mail helpdesk@keene.edu, or call 358-2532.