Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams

[Mark Mastrean]

Phishing scams continue to proliferate at alarming rates. They are becoming
more difficult to detect.

Widespread news coverage surrounding COVID-19 has created fresh attacks
attempting to exploit public fears about the virus, and the 2020 election
season offers still more opportunities for criminals to exploit.

Other recent scams have used the following subject lines:
***ACCOUNT DEACTIVATION IN PROGRESS
***ATTN: For Review
***Available: are you on campus now?

Phishing emails often carry malicious software -- "malware" -- that could
allow criminals to take control of your computer, log your keystrokes, or
access your personal information and financial data, leading to identity
theft.

It's important for all of us in the campus community to understand how we
can recognize phishing attempts and what we can do to protect both
ourselves and the college.

*Three tips for protection against phishing attacks:*

   1. *Be cautious* about all communications you receive. Unless you’re
   absolutely sure about the source of a communication, do not respond to it.
   Delete it. You can also forward it for review by our information-security
   team at: phishing at plattsburgh.edu.
   2. *Do not click *on any links or open any attachments in the suspicious
   email.
   3. *Do not enter* personal information in a pop-up screen. Legitimate
   companies, agencies, and organizations don't ask for personal information
   in such a way, nor will SUNY Plattsburgh.

SUNY Plattsburgh has intrusion-prevention systems in place, which allow us
to prevent numerous cyber threats to our network and systems, and to
faculty, staff, and students. Phishing scams can circumvent such
protections, and therefore require individual users to be vigilant.

I invite you to contact me with your cyber-security questions and concerns.

Best regards,

Symen Mulders
Information Security Analyst / Information Security Committee Chair
Phone: 518-564-2459
muldersb at plattsburgh.edu
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