Learn about common security issues and how to thwart them
Spoofing
What it is: spoofing can be done through website and via email. A spoofed email looks legitimate, and may even say it’s from us. It’s trying to get you to a spoofed webpage in order to get your personal information. A spoofed email may have content errors, come from a suspicious email address and will have links that, if you hover over them, will show you that you are going to a strange web address.
How to beat it: don’t click on the links! Call us or the company the email looks like it is from to verify the request. Delete the email. If it’s sent to your work email address, contact your system administrator so they can analyze the email.
Phishing
What it is: it’s very similar to what spoofing looks like. The email may contain phrases like:
“We need to confirm your personal information”
“Not confirming your information could lock you out of our system”
Other time-based requests for personal or account information
How to beat it: don’t click links, delete the email, report it.
Pharming
What it is: when criminals redirect traffic from a legitimate website to a spoofed website in order to steal your information. There is most likely a form for you to enter in personal or account information.
How to beat it: whenever you come to a webpage, check the address bar to ensure the web address is correct. If it’s a webpage where you are entering any kind of account information (social media credentials, account information, etc.), check the address bar to see if the address starts with “https.” This is a sign the website is secured with a layer of security on verified companies can provide.
Vishing
What it is: these are voice calls with automated voice greetings designed to trick you into entering your debit card or bank account numbers.
How to beat it: hang up immediately without pressing any keys or saying anything. Call us or whatever company the call was supposed to be from to confirm the need for the requested information.
Tech Scam
What it is: this type of scam involves a call or pop-up message from someone pretending to be a tech support employee for a technology company (Microsoft, Apple, etc.) They will tell you a virus or malware has been detected on your computer, and that you need to pay for or download certain software to fix the issue.
How to beat it: hang up or close out of the pop-up and your internet browser. Do not click any links or provide any information over the phone.
