Be alert for more frequent digital scamming attempts
October 30, 2020 8:01 AM

While ransomware and phishing attacks are an ongoing concern for the University, you may notice more attempts over the next few days and weeks. Bad actors may try to digitally impersonate University entities in order to gain access to personal data and University systems.

Keep the following in mind and act when you notice something suspicious.

• Carefully review email messages or links. If you're unsure, do NOT reply to suspicious emails or visit suspicious links.
  
  
• Do not blindly trust messages. Names displayed in email can be forged. Attacks are often disguised, pretending to be sent from someone you know.
  
  
• Report phishing to security@illinois.edu and your local IT professional.
  
  
• If you replied to a suspicious email or visited a link accidentally and later discovered it to be phishing, report it right away. State that you have been phished. You will not be in trouble; it happens, but you must report it in order to limit the effects. Log off all systems and promptly change your password using the self-service option as a precaution. https://go.illinois.edu/password
  
  
• Dangerous links are often found in email, but they may also exist in compromised websites, online ads, and documents. If you see a fraudulent site pretending to be the University or any of its units, report it by emailing security@illinois.edu or calling (217) 265-0000.

To help you better spot a potential phishing or ransomware scam, please take a few moments to review these training modules from Technology Services Privacy and Security. Both are available at https://go.uillinois.edu/securitytraining.

• Phishing: This training module will help you recognize email traps and avoid phishing scams.
• Ransomware: This training module will help you learn to recognize and prevent ransomware attacks.

Thank you for exercising caution and paying close attention in order to better protect yourself and the University from cyber threats. If you have any questions, please contact the Tech Services Help Desk, (217) 244-7000 or consult@illinois.edu.

-Technology Services Privacy and Security Team