As world events continue to create uncertainty and heightened risk in many areas of our daily lives, we need to be especially vigilant for attacks aimed at our email inboxes. One aid added to our email system is a banner at the top of any email message from an email address with whom you do not often communicate. For example, I received this banner at the top of a recent email:
Obviously, the email address in the banner will change based on where it originates. This is the key item to note, because if you receive an email that claims or appears to be from someone you often communicate with and this banner appears, then there is a problem, and the warning bells should go off.
Phishing comes in many different forms, from obvious-to-spot scams to sophisticated deceptions. Consider if the message contains these characteristics before you click a link or attachment.
- Does this make me feel anxious and am I required to be reactive?
- Am I being asked to do something new, or do something normal but in a new way?
- Will resolving this require providing a password, money, or information?
Please remain cautious when reviewing and reading your email. If an email looks suspicious, it probably is. Even if a poorly composed email is legitimate, it is better to err on the side of caution. If you believe you have received an email that is problematic, please forward it to spam@peru.edu.
Please be vigilant and delete any email that appears remotely suspicious.