Halloween is right around the corner and as we head deeper into spooky season, we need to make sure to keep a calm head around tech safety. It is a time for candy, fun, and costumes, but also a time when scammers are out in full force, trying to trick unsuspecting victims. A common scam we have seen on the rise is phishing, where scammers attempt to steal personal information by posing as a trusted person or group.
What Is Phishing?
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack where scammers send emails or messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as an administrator or department within the system. These messages often contain malicious links or attachments that, when clicked on, can infect your computer or phone with malware or steal your personal information.
How to Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams
Be suspicious of unexpected emails. If you receive an email from an unknown sender or an email with suspicious attachments or links, be cautious.
Verify the sender's email address. Look for typos or inconsistencies in the sender's email address. Also make sure the name displayed is similar to the email address.
Never click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails. If you are not sure whether an email is legit, contact the sender directly via phone, a known good email, or in person to verify.
Be caution of urgent requests. Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency to pressure you into clicking on dangerous links or giving up your personal information/passwords. Take your time and remain calm.
Use strong passwords and 2-step verification. This will make it more difficult for scammers to gain access to your accounts. Take a look at the previous blog Passwords. Are They Really Important? for some tips on password creation. You can also turn on 2-step verification in your Google account settings. As usual, please reach out if you need assistance.
Keep your software up to date. This helps protect your computer from malware. Remember to restart your computer so the updates can all finish installing, and keep your computer running smoothly. We recommend you perform a restart at least once per week.
Report phishing attempts. If you come across any suspicious emails, click the fishing hook on the right side panel. This will send a phishing alert to the IT Department so we may investigate the message.
Remember, you are the first line of defense and can protect both yourself and the school from phishing scams by following the tips provided. It's always better to be safe than sorry so don't get tricked during spooky season.