Increased EMail Phish Activity

September 12, 2023

Dear Cal Poly Humboldt Staff and Faculty,

Email phishing attacks are on the rise. Phishing attacks are malicious attempts to trick you into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, personal information, or financial details, by posing as trustworthy sources.

To help protect our university community and your personal information, we request your assistance in identifying and reporting any suspected phishing emails. Here's what you can do:

Report Suspicious Emails: If you receive an email that you suspect is a phishing attempt, please follow these steps:

  • Open the suspicious email in Gmail.
  • Click on the three dots (More options) in the upper-right corner of the email.
  • Select "Report phishing."

Be Cautious: Always exercise caution when opening emails from unknown senders or emails that ask for personal information, login credentials, or financial data.

Check Email Addresses: Pay close attention to the sender's email address. Be wary of email addresses that seem suspicious or impersonate legitimate organizations.

Don't Click on Suspicious Links: Avoid clicking on any links or downloading attachments in emails from unknown sources.

Verify Requests: If you receive an email requesting sensitive information or actions that seem unusual, verify the request by contacting the sender through trustworthy channels before taking any action. Cal Poly Humboldt Information Technology Services (ITS) will not ask for your password, and any software installations will be through Software Center or Self Service.

While ITS leverages advanced methods to detect sophisticated phishing and malicious email, your vigilance is crucial in maintaining the security of our campus community's information. By promptly reporting phishing attempts, you can help us take swift action to protect our university's data and resources.

If you ever have any doubts about the legitimacy of an email or if you believe you have fallen victim to a phishing attack, do not hesitate to contact our IT support team at 707-826-4357 or https://hsu-forms.humboldt.edu/techhelp.

We appreciate your commitment to maintaining a secure online IT environment. 

Sincerely,

Information Technology Services (ITS)
Cal Poly Humboldt

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