Author: Ian Aberle

Notice on Mailbox Storage Capacity

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Phishing message example:

Notice on Mailbox Storage Capacity Phishing Message

Clues that it is a phishing message:

  • The sender is not from OIT.
  • The recipient is not listed directly, but blind copied.
  • The URL is for a domain in another country.
  • The email is pressuring with its sense of urgency.
  • The signature is for the wrong department.

(CBTR) INFORMATION

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Phishing message example:

(CBTR) INFORMATION Phishing message

Clues that it is a phishing message:

  • Not expecting a document from the sender.
  • User has not heard from the sender in over a year.
  • The URL is for a domain in another country.
  • The email is pressuring with its sense of urgency.

SharePoint Permissions Issue – Update

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Phishing message example:

SharePoint Permissions Issue - Update

Clues that it is a phishing message:

  • Not expecting a document from the sender.
  • The URL for the “Read this message” button is for a domain in another country.
  • The email is pressuring with its sense of urgency with the “Watch before: Friday” and it is sent on Thursday.

Action Required

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Phishing message example:

Action Required Phishing Email screenshot

Clues that it is a phishing message:

  • We will NEVER ask you to retain an account by clicking a link in an email.
  • The link is for a non-SMU URL.
  • The sender email (not shown) is not from departmental account.

Emergency Notification

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Phishing message example:

Emergency Notification Phishing message

Clues that it is a phishing message:

  • We will NEVER ask you to retain an account by clicking a link in an email.
  • The SMU is not all uppercase and Webmail is not capitalized.
  • The link displayed in the email is not the same as what is hyperlinked (seen when you hover over the link).
  • The link is for a non-SMU URL.
  • The sender email (not shown) is not from a departmental account.

Don’t Get Lockout!!

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Phishing message example:

Don't Get Lockout!!

Clues that it is a phishing message:

  • The “Confirm Email Account” URL is for a domain in another country.
  • The email is pressuring with its sense of urgency.
  • We will NEVER ask you to retain an account by clicking a link in an email.

Your Mail-Box Has Reached an Upgrade Stage

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Phishing message example:

Your Mail-Box Has Reached an Upgrade Stage Phishing

Clues that it is a phishing message:

  • The link for the “Upgrade Now” button is for a domain in another country.
  • The email is pressuring with its sense of urgency with a notice about several warnings and the account will be locked.
  • We will NEVER ask you to retain an account by clicking a link in an email.

Online_PDF_Document

Image Ian Aberle

Phishing message example:

Online PDF Document Phishing

Clues that it is a phishing message:

  • Email ensures false sense of security with multiple anti-virus and secured notices.
  • The user is not expecting the document from the sender.
  • The URL for the “click here” link is for a domain not related to SMU services.

Update Now

Image Ian Aberle

Phishing message example:

Update Now

Clues that it is a phishing message:

  • The “verify your e-mail” link URL is for a domain in another country.
  • The email is pressuring with its sense of urgency with the notice about losing data if they don’t confirm immediately.
  • We will NEVER ask you to retain an account by clicking a link in an email.