Campus computer users are being advised to delete and not respond to an email scam masquerading as helpful advice.
The email begins “Dear uwo.ca email user” and asks the campus community to provide a username and password.
Western’s Information and Technology Services (ITS) does not ask users for passwords (or any personal information) through email and warns computers users against providing password or username information to anyone.
This scam, known as phishing, happens about a dozen times a month. Each message is slightly different and tries to trick individuals into responding. They are generally seeking access to campus computer accounts to support illegal activities.
ITS offers the following advice:
* An email subject line starting with [SPAM?] should be considered potential SPAM unless the ITS Support Centre tells you otherwise.
* Official email communication from an @uwo.ca account should never have [SPAM?] in the subject line.
* Official email communication from ITS will never ask you to email your password or other personal information.
* If you receive such an email claiming to be from ITS, please check the web site at https://www.uwo.ca/its/accounting/official-email/ This site contains information about phishing and lists all known phishing attempts.
* If you do not see your example, please forward it ‘With Full Headers’ to phishing@uwo.ca
(For information on how to forward with “Full Headers”, see:
https://www.uwo.ca/its/doc/hdi/email/forwardwithheaders.html)
* If you have questions or need assistance please contact the ITS Customer Support Centre at 519-661-3800