Safe Computing: Virus and Phish Alerts
What is a “spam” email?
Spam is unsolicited junk email sent out to a large distribution list. It runs the gamut from health products and replica watches to get-rich-quick schemes.
What is a “phishing” email?
A phishing email is a spam email that attempts to trick the receiver into revealing confidential information—such as birth date, credit card/banking information, passwords, or social security number—by claiming to be an organization that the receiver trusts. If this information is given to the phisher, it can be used to steal money from the person’s bank account or compromise their identity.
What is “identity theft”?
Identity theft occurs when someone impersonates you by using your name or other confidential information to steal your money or commit other crimes against you or in your name. To find out more about what to do if your identity is stolen—including how to place a “fraud alert” with the credit reporting companies—the Federal Trade Commission has an Identity Theft site at http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/identity-theft.aspx
What is University of Michigan doing about all these spam/phishing emails?
You can read about what we do to block spam and phishing emails here:
http://www.umflint.edu/helpdesk/pages/UM%20Flint%20Spam%20Stats.html
Is there anything I can do to cut down on all this spam?
Yes! We recommend that you add a spam filter to your Outlook email. Directions are here:
• Quicknote: Creating a Spam Filter for Outlook Web Access 2007 (webmail)
• Quicknote: Creating a Spam Filter for Outlook 2007
• Quicknote: Creating a Spam Filter for Outlook 2003
• Quicknote: Creating a Spam Filter for Entourage 2008 (Mac)
I just received a phishing email; now what?
Please file a ticket with the ITS HelpDesk at (810) 766-6804 or ITSHelpDesk@umflint.edu, sending us the original email as well as the message headers. You can learn how to do it here: http://www.umflint.edu/helpdesk/articles/252/1
Thanks for helping keep our network safe!
All UMF students, faculty, and staff are eligible to receive free anti-virus software. For more information on how to obtain the free anti-virus software please refer to this article regarding Usage of Antivirus Software.
For recent notices from ITS Security Services please visit the ITS Security Services blog at http://blogs.umflint.edu/itssecurityservices/.
For information from on Phishing Alerts from Ann Arbor please visit: http://safecomputing.umich.edu/main/phishing_alerts/2009/10.29.2009%20-%20Information%20Technology%20Central%20Services%20-%20Account%20Upgrade%20Notification.html