The incidence of phishing scams is currently at an unprecedented level. As a crucial line of defense against cyber attacks at Saint Mary’s, it’s essential to scrutinize the legitimacy of every email you receive. To help identify potential phishing attempts, consider the following questions about the sender of the email.
Analyze who the email was sent to. Were you CC’d on an email with recipients you don’t personally know? Or was it sent to an unusual combination of people? For instance, a random mix of individuals with unrelated email addresses, or a group from Saint Mary’s whose last names all begin with the same letter.
If something about the email raises red flags, avoid clicking on any links, opening attachments, or responding. Remember, you are the final line of defense against cyber criminals, and your actions are crucial in protecting yourself and Saint Mary’s from phishing attacks.
If you are certain an email is phishing and you didn’t click any links, go ahead and delete it. If you aren’t sure or if you clicked a link, call the IT HelpDesk at 507-457-7800.
