Available To
Staff, Student, Faculty, and Administration
Service Overview
Services for reporting suspicious emails, or phishing attempts.
Common Tasks
User and Client precautions to Phishing Emails
Phishing emails are deceptive and fraudulent messages sent by cyber criminals with the intention of tricking recipients into taking specific actions, or divulging sensitive information. Here's a general description of what phishing emails typically include:
Poor Grammar and Spelling: Phishing emails often contain grammatical errors, misspelled words, and awkward language usage. These errors can be a red flag indicating a fraudulent message.
Unsolicited Requests: Phishing emails are typically unsolicited. If you didn't expect to receive an email from the sender or are unsure about its authenticity, exercise caution.
Threats or Consequences: Some phishing emails threaten dire consequences if recipients do not comply with the sender's instructions. These threats can range from locking accounts to legal action.
Generic Greetings: Phishing emails often use generic salutations like "Dear Customer" instead of addressing recipients by name. This is because cybercriminals may not have access to personal information.
Suspicious Email Addresses: Pay attention to the sender's email address. Phishing emails may use domains that closely resemble legitimate ones but contain subtle variations or misspelled names.
To protect yourself from phishing attacks, it's crucial to exercise caution, verify the authenticity of emails, avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources, and never share sensitive information in response to unsolicited emails. Employing cybersecurity best practices and staying informed about common phishing tactics can help you stay safe online.
Additional Support
For assistance or other general issues, please contact the Chaffey IT Helpdesk using any of the following methods: