Phishing Examples

Phishing is a common experience for email users these days. Swarthmore email users often receive requests for their network/email passwords, user IDs, and other private data. Some of these emails can be very convincing and appear to be from Swarthmore ITS Staff. However, you should know that ITS will never, ever request your password!? Emails requesting your password or other personal data should simply be deleted upon receipt. Below are some different types of phishing emails received here at Swarthmore: <!–more–> Subject: Dear swarthmore.edu Email Account Owner From: Admin Help Desk Date: November 28, 2008 6:41:35 AM EST To: xxx@swarthmore.edu … Continue reading Phishing Examples

Phishing via Facebook (i.e., Phacebook)

There have been numerous reports of phishing attempts this past weekend being propagated throughout Facebook. Facebook users are receiving messages that contain a link in a format similar to: tinyurl.com/….. Clicking on the link (or previewing it) will redirect you to a malicious site which impersonates the Facebook login page in an attempt to steal your Facebook credentials. In addition, many of these malicious sites will attempt to silently infect your computer. If you receive any Facebook messages like this, simply delete them without clicking on the link. In general, while making on-line life easier, tinyurl links make it far … Continue reading Phishing via Facebook (i.e., Phacebook)

Avoid IRS Phishing Attempts!

All you need to know is: the IRS does NOT initiate taxpayer communications through email. So, if you receive an unsolicited email from the IRS, it’s not from them!! Discard it. In addition, if you do email the IRS directly and then receive a response, keep in mind that they will – NEVER request detailed personal information through email – NEVER request information like PIN numbers, passwords, credit card numbers or other account information The IRS has a simple but informative web page with additional information about identifying and reporting phishing attempts, fake IRS web sites, etc. You can find … Continue reading Avoid IRS Phishing Attempts!

Serious Unpatched Security Vulnerability in Adobe Reader and Acrobat

UPDATE #2: Adobe has now released patches for versions 7, 8 and 9 of Acrobat and Reader for both Windows and Mac platforms. Please refer to the links below. Click here for Windows Click here for Mac UPDATE #1: Adobe has released version 9.1 for Windows and Mac platforms. A patch for older versions is expected on or around March 25th. If you’re running version 9, you can open your existing Adobe application and then click on ‘Check for Updates’ in the Help menu. You can also get the update directly from their website (you must already be at version … Continue reading Serious Unpatched Security Vulnerability in Adobe Reader and Acrobat

Important (but easy) Tips for Office Computer Security

Hackers especially love the holidays because there are lots of new, unprotected computers to compromise and silently take over. Even without new computers to exploit, there has been an alarming increase in the amount of malware (viruses, spyware, etc.) being installed recently on Swarthmore community systems. The following tips will help keep your existing computer (regardless of operating system), and especially new out-of-the-box systems, more resistant to viruses, spyware and other malware. These tips are crucial to protecting the contents and integrity of your office computer. Of course, these tips also apply to your home computer. For more security tips, … Continue reading Important (but easy) Tips for Office Computer Security