What is Phishing?
The definition—attempting to acquire information such as username, password, credit card or banking information or money by pretending to be someone else via email, text or social networking.
Phishing emails may contain links to websites that are infected with malware. They may also ask you to log in to “confirm” your identity.
How to Protect Yourself:
- When in doubt, ask
- If you receive a suspicious email contact the Service Desk at 250-960-5321 (1-866-960-5321) or support@unbc.ca
- Google the company and find contact information and talk to them directly
- Ask co-workers if they have received the same message (chances are, if they have, your message is fake)
What Do I Do if I Think I’ve Been Phished?
- If you suspect you’ve been phished, change your password immediately and contact the Service Desk at 250-960-5321 (1-866-960-5321) or support@unbc.ca
- Don't send a message to FacStaff, but try to let your family and co-workers to keep an eye out for suspicious messages or account activity from you
Things to Look For:
- The email address doesn’t match the company the message says its from
- Be careful though, because even if it is from an email address ending in @unbc.ca, it could still be a phishing email
- The spelling, punctuation and grammar are poor
- Links don’t go where they say (hold the mouse over the link, you’ll see where the link really goes at the bottom left of your screen)
- The message is signed by a group or individual you know doesn’t exist
- The message is asking you for your username and password