Computing Security
Password "Phishing"
SOU Information Technology (IT) continues to receive reports of email messages, using a variety of wording and appearing to have come from an official sender, requesting the recipient to verify or confirm their password. There is usually some benefit to compliance or consequence of non-compliance.
These messages are SCAMS intent on harvesting your password or other personal identification information. No one at SOU will EVER ask for your password. Sharing your password with anyone is a violation of the Computing Services Acceptable Use Policy.
"Users have a responsibility to respect the privacy of others. Violations of this responsibility include, but are not limited to:
- Using a computer account that you are not authorized to use. Obtaining a password for a computer account other than your own, or giving your password to anyone else."
These emails may have specific information making them appear to come from an official sender, even appearing to have an "@sou.edu" or "@students.sou.edu" email address. Email address can be faked quite easily. It is also quite easy for "scammers" to include other specific information such as locality and in some cases names of other SOU employees and students.
If you receive any form of communication (telephone, email, instant message, text message on your cell phone, unexpected login window on your computer...) of this nature you should ignore it or report it to the Faculty & Staff Help Desk or Student Help Desk. Suspect email messages may be forwarded to the Help Desk using the "Forward as Attachment" option (see drop down arrow next to the forward button).
More Information
- Wikipedia.
"In computing, phishing is an attempt to criminally and fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication." -
Recognize phishing scams and fraudulent e-mails.
"Phishing is a type of deception designed to steal your valuable personal data, such as credit card numbers, passwords, account data, or other information." - OnGuard Online.
"OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information."
