Some phishing scams send you emails using deceptive email addresses or even through the email address of someone you know. If the message seems suspicious, do not open it. Below are some 'red flags' to help you detect malicious email. If you are unsure if an email is malicious, feel free to contact Support Central.
From
- I don't recognize the sender's email address as someone I usually communicate with.
- This email is from someone outside my organization and it's not related to my job responsibilities.
- This email was sent from someone inside the organization or from a customer, vendor, or partner and is very unusual or out of character.
- Is the sender's email address from a suspicious domain (like microsoft-support.com)?
- I don't know the sender personally and they were not vouched for by someone I trust.
- I don't have a business relationship nor any past communications with the sender.
- This is an unexpected or unusual email with an embedded hyperlink or an attachment from someone I haven't communicated with recently.
To
- I was Cc'd on an email sent to one or more people, but I don't personally know the other people it was sent to.
- I received an email that was also sent to an unusual mix of people. For instance, it might be sent to a random group of people at my organization whose last names all start with the same letter, or a whole list of unrelated addresses.
Hyperlinks
- I hover my mouse over a hyperlink that's displayed in the email message, but the link-to address is for a different website. (This is a BIG red flag)
- I received an email that only has long hyperlinks with no further information, and the rest of the email is completely blank.
- I received an email with a hyperlink that is a misspelling of a known website. For instance, www.bankofarnerica.com - where the 'm' is really an 'r' and an 'n'.
Date & Time
- Did I receive an email that I normally would get during regular business hours, but it was sent at an unusual time like 3 a.m.?
Subject
- Did I get an email with a subject line that is irrelevant or does not match the message content?
- Is the email message a reply to something I never sent or requested?
Attachments
- The sender included an email attachment that I was not expecting or that makes no sense in relation to the email message. For instance, this sender doesn't usually send me that type of attachment.
- I see an attachment with a possibly dangerous file type.
Content
- Is the sender asking me to click on a link ot open an attachment to avoid a negative consequence or gain something of value?
- Is the email out of the ordinary, or does it have bad grammar or spelling errors?
- Is the sender asking me to click a link or open up an attachment that seems odd or illogical?
- Do i have an uncomfortable gut feeling about the sender's request to open an attachment or click a link?
- Is the email asking me to look at a compromising or embarrassing picture of myself or someone I know?
Contact Support Central
- View Location
- View Hours
- Phone: 405-425-5555
- Email: supportcentral@oc.edu
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.