Fight Phishing is this week’s theme for Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Secure personal and UW data by learning to recognize the various types of phish.
Don’t take the bait!
How does phishing work?
Cyber criminals try to trick you into disclosing your login credentials, passwords or other personal data by sending email messages that create a sense of urgency.
- Be wary of any email that threatens negative consequences if you do not click on a link to login with your user name (e.g., UW NetID) and password.
- Be cautious with emails containing links or attachments, even if you think you recognize the sender.
If successful, the cyber criminals will use the information obtained to access your personal financial information or University institutional resources. They may also use your account to spread malicious software, or malware.
Phish may also arrive in the form of texts, phone calls, and social media messages. Visit the Phishing Examples web page to see specific types of effective messages.
Spear phishing messages are specifically tailored to deceive certain individuals or groups of people, such as UW faculty or researchers. Read more in the Spear Phishing Risk Advisory.
What should you do if you receive a suspicious message?
- Don’t click on any links in the message or respond to it.
- Don’t engage with unfamiliar callers without verifying that they are who they say they are.
- Don’t respond to texts from unfamiliar sources.
- Send suspicious email messages as an attachment to help@uw.edu.
How can you protect yourself?
- Be skeptical about emails that seem urgent or threaten negative consequences if you do not act. Don’t reply, click links or divulge personal information or login credentials.
- Learn more about phishing from this infographic, which can be printed out and posted in common areas.
- Use anti-virus software on your computers and devices, and keep it updated. Sophos Anti-Virus Software is available free of charge to all UW students, faculty and staff.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact help@uw.edu
Office of Information Security Phishing Resources: