Spoofing and Phishing and Spam – OH MY!

Sometimes we receive email that we think is from a familiar/safe sender – or is it?

It's easy to determine the legitimacy of senders/email by asking yourself a few questions. Below is an example of an email message that spoofed Lara GB's identity in order to lure you to take action (reply, click on a link, etc). This kind of email can expose you and your contacts to any number of malware attacks.

This can happen with any device: desktop, laptop, Chromebook, phone, etc.

Steps you can take in practicing safe email use:

1. Take your time and read over all information in the entire email before clicking on anything or responding:
   1. Sender – is the sender's email address familiar and correct?
   2. All CERSD employee/student email should always come from a "cersd.org" email account.
   3. Syntax – does it "read" right, or do some of the words seem out of place, are awkward, or just plain don't flow like they should?
   4. Composition/familiar elements – are there unexpected missing, different or extra elements to the email (names, personalized signatures, etc)
   5. Spelling – are there uses of non-US English spellings?
   6. Punctuation – do you see extra or missing punctuation?
   7. Capitalization – are words inappropriately capitalized (or not)
   8. Something just doesn't look right – when doubt, DO NOT take requested action or reply! Call the sender and contact your Tech team* for help.

Replying or otherwise engaging an illegitimate can have devastating consequences that include:

• Identity theft , including using your email identity, personal information, and that of others
• Ransomware – widespread denial of access to all data – this could extend beyond your personal stuff to throughout the entire organization, effectively shutting it down
• Spam in your and others' inbox(es)
• Locking you and others out of your account(s)
• Exposing sensitive personal information (credit card/banking, shopping accounts, etc)
• Exposing sensitive student information

*Your Tech Contacts:

4949 – Helpdesk automatic emergency ticket (leave detailed message)

4998 – Susie

4978 – Dennis (6:30-3:00)

4932 – Stefan (6:30-10:30)