TTU IT Alert – H1N1 E-mail Scams on the Rise
Given the recent media coverage regarding H1N1 flu, the TTU IT Security Team anticipates an increase in scam/phishing e-mails in the coming weeks. One such e-mail has already been brought to our attention by a national IT security organization. The e-mail claims to include an attachment that provides additional information about the H1N1 flu. In reality, the attachment contains a virus, which installs itself on the recipient’s computer if opened.
The TTU IT Division recommends the following safe computing practices to protect yourself from this and related e-mail scams:
- Do not believe online offers for vaccinations against H1N1 flu;
- Do not click on links contained within an e-mail unless you are certain of the sender’s identity and expecting the information;
- Do not open attachments unless you are certain of the sender’s identity and expecting the information;
- Delete and do not reply to any of these e-mails;
- Update your virus software; Symantec AntiVirus is available for download at http://eraider.ttu.edu at no cost to the University community; and
- Keep current on critical system updates:
- Windows Users: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. For instructions to set up Automatic Updates, visit http://safecomputing.ttu.edu/criticalupdates.php
- Mac Users: Use Software Update in System Preferences
Additional information about H1N1 flu and its potential impact to the Lubbock/TTU community may be found online at http://www.ttu.edu/flu.
For more information or questions, please contact IT Help Central at (806) 742-HELP (4357) or via e-mail at ithelpcentral@ttu.edu.
TTU IT Alert – Email Phishing Warning
The TTU IT Division has received reports regarding emails sent to TechMail accounts that appear to be from a reliable source. For example, the TTU IT Division has received numerous reports that an email with the from address “Texas Tech University Helpdesk” and with the subject “Texas Tech University System Administration” has been circulating around campus. While these emails appear legitimate, they are not from a legitimate source. The complete wording of this email may be found at the bottom of this message.
You may still have copies in your Inbox or Junk E-mail folders. This is a "phishing" scam and as such, anyone receiving such an email should not reply to it or click on any links in the message. If you receive this email, you may simply delete it. If you have replied to this email and given your username or password, you should immediately go to https://eraider.ttu.edu and change your password. Remember that sharing your eRaider password with anyone is a violation of TTU IT Security Policies; TTU IT Division employees will never ask for your password.
For further information or assistance, contact IT Help Central at (806) 742-HELP or ithelpcentral@ttu.edu.
The complete wording of the most common phishing email may be found below:
Dear TTU account user,
Thank you for subscribing to ttu.edu Internet. As part of our continuous effort in providing a higher level of service, we are pleased to inform you that we have upgrade your e-mail account and you will have to reactivate your account. To complete your account activation with us, you must reply to this email Immediately and enter your account details as requested below.
First Name:
Last Name:
User Name/ID:
Password:
Retype Password:
Phone number
You are required to do this before the next 48 hours of receipt of this email or your account will be de-activated from our database.
NOTE: You will be sent an account activation code to the Email ID you provide in the next seven (7) Working days for security reasons.
It is also pertinent, you understand that our primary concern is for our customers, and for the security of their files and data.
Your account can also be verified using the link below: https://mail.ttu.edu/owa/
Thank you for using ttu.edu.
Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409