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Secure Computing Notices
1) Exercise extreme caution when opening email attachments.
Do NOT
open attachments unless they are ones you
expected to receive.
Be particularly vigilant about attachments
that appear to be
image files.
2) Do NOT click on web address links included in email
messages
unless you are sure they connect to trusted
web sites. It is
safer to either key a known web site address
directly into the
address line in your browser or to use the
search feature of
your browser to find the website.
3) Keep your antivirus software and Windows operating
system software
up to date.
Have
you ever been phished (fished)?
Phishing is a
type of computer scam. You get an email that appears
to be from your bank or some other financial institution
or reliable source. What should you do? They
have a link on the email to find out the details about a
charge on your credit card or they tell you that some of
your records have been altered or deleted and they need
you to send some information to them.
STOP!!!
DON'T
CLICK THE LINK!
This link is actually
either going to install some virus or spyware on your computer
and everything that you send out is going to be infected
or be redirected to an address that is not a legitimate
business address this includes transactions done in SSL
(secure sockets layer) where the lock shows on the lower
right portion of your window. In other words someone
is trying to steal your personal information. Two
example that we have had on campus are the email from a
Paypal look alike - exchange-robot@paypal.com saying that
they have made a charge to your credit card for $175.00
and on 11/15/04 the one that appears to be from Suntrust
bank - SunTrust Security Department requesting personal
information. Most financial institutions will not
request personal information through an email. If
you are in doubt, do not send an email, but call a branch
office of the financial institution and find out from them.
See below for more scams as they are identified.
Scams
from new sources:
06/12/07 - Virginia Credit Union - e-mail sent requesting your participation in a survey
"You've been selected to take part in our quick and easy 8 questions survey.
In return we will credit $80.00 to your account - Just for your time!"
08/25/06 - MasterCard SecureCode - e-mail was sent from a fraudulent site. Do NOT click on any links within that e-mail. Check the official MasterCard site for information.
08/03/06 - From: University of Virginia Community Credit Union - This e-mail advises that they are unable to update your information. This is a phishing scam. DO NOT click on any links. If you feel that your machine may be compromised please notify abuse@uvawise.edu.
Don't
allow files from unknown sources on your computer
Accepting files
from others by opening attachments, by downloading files
from web pages, or by other means is risky. Each time you
encounter a new file, judge carefully the reliability of
the file's source and contents before you open it or save
it to your computer. It's best never to open an attachment
unless you are absolutely sure of the credibility of both
the sender and the contents of the sent material. Remember,
malicious programs like viruses and worms can spoof the
identity of an email message's sender. Just because the
message says it's from someone you know doesn't mean that
it really is.
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