SPAM, PHISHING AND SUSPICIOUS EMAILS
HOW TO IDENTIFY AND REPORT SPAM, PHISHING, AND SUSPICIOUS EMAILS
HOW TO IDENTIFY AND REPORT SPAM, PHISHING, AND SUSPICIOUS EMAILS
HOW TO IDENTIFY AND REPORT SPAM, PHISHING, AND SUSPICIOUS EMAILS
What is Spam?
Spam refers to unsolicited and often irrelevant or fraudulent emails sent to a large number of people. Most spam includes:
-
Commercial advertisements
-
Dubious products or get-rich-quick schemes
-
Phishing attempts to steal personal or financial information
Spam emails can flood your inbox and pose a security risk. Identifying and handling them effectively can help protect you and our organization.
How to Identify Suspicious Emails
Here are key indicators of spam and phishing emails:
- Unfamiliar Senders: The email comes from an unknown or unexpected source.
- Urgent Requests: Messages urging you to act immediately, such as "Your account will be deactivated!"
- Requests for Account Information or Passwords: Emails asking for sensitive details like usernames, passwords, or account numbers are almost always phishing attempts. Be especially cautious of links directing you to log in or verify information.
- Grammatical Errors: Poor spelling or awkward grammar in the subject line or body of the email.
- Suspicious Links: Hover over links to verify the URL before clicking. If the link looks odd or doesn’t match the sender's domain, it’s likely phishing.
- Attachments from Unknown Sources: Unexpected attachments, especially files like .exe, .zip, or .docm, could contain malware.
How to Handle Spam and Suspicious Emails
Follow these steps if you receive an email that looks suspicious:
- Do Not Click Any Links or open attachments.
- Be Wary of Requests for Sensitive Information: Legitimate organizations will never ask for your password or account information via email.
- Use the "Report Email" Button which can be found at the top of the email:
- Delete the email from your inbox.
What to Avoid
- Do Not Reply to Spam: Responding confirms your email is active and may result in more spam.
- Avoid Forwarding Spam Emails: Instead, use the "Report" button to address the issue.
Remember: Be extra cautious with emails requesting sensitive information like passwords or account details. Your vigilance is crucial to keeping our network secure. Thank you for helping us combat spam and phishing threats!
