Introduction
Phishing attacks are when a malicious actor sends a message to recipients through email, messages, or phones calls attempting to gain access to valuable sensitive data. Sensitive data can include passwords, credit card numbers, account information, banking information, etc.
How to Identify and Respond
Phishing attempts often have suspicious indicators that make them look obvious, but can also be crafted to look very credible. Here are some quick indicators to help spot a phishing attempt:
- Unfamiliar tone or greeting
- Grammar and spelling errors
- Inconsistencies in email address, domain, and links
- Sense of urgency or threatening language
- Suspicious attachments or requests for sensitive information
If you suspect a message or email is a phishing attempt, DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS or DOWNLOAD ANY ATTACHMENTS. Please report it to Technology Services Help Desk.
See the resources section for more in-depth explanation of these indicators and how to respond.
How to Report to Technology Services Help Desk?
Technology Services can be made aware of suspecting phishing attempt by doing one of the following:
- Use Report Phishing options in Webmail or in Outlook (See Knowledge Base)
Technology Services review and investigate to mitigate and control the phishing campaign.
Contact Help Desk
Contact the Help Desk by:
- Phone: 607 587-HELP(4357)
- Email: helpdesk@alfredstate.edu
- Teams: helpdesk@alfredstate.edu
- Submit Work Order > Click Report Phishing button