Back to School Tips
- Do not open emails from unknown senders (spam emails can contain reply scripts that inform spammers that your email account is active and that you click on links), instead delete and expunge from your inbox.
- Do not assume the email came from the person in the "from" part of the email (email addresses are often and easily spoofed).
- Never open an unsolicited attachment or click on a link without verifying the sender.
- Do not enter personal information on web pages unless you know the site and it is necessary. You should also avoid putting personal information (i.e. phone number, snail address, social security numbers, etc.) on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. The more personal information you put on the web, the easier it is to steal your identity.
- Choose different passwords between school applications, social nets, banks, etc. and change them every 6-12 months.
- Email claiming that there is a problem with an account, that you owe money, or that you are owed money, should be validated with a phone call or email to the appropriate party. Never use the information in the email for contacting the party, look it up yourself.
- Use an alternate email address for your banking information that you do not share elsewhere. This will help you to avoid confusion when receiving inbound emails regarding banking accounts and also better protect your personal information.
- Set up a spam filter that will weed out emails with malicious coding (designed to infiltrate or damage your computer without your consent). You can try Cloudmark Desktop for Outlook and Outlook Express free for 15 days.
- Users should install the protection software before they get to campus. Students bring their laptops infected with all sorts of contagions to the interior campus network, circumventing all firewalls and edge defenses.
- Be proactive and stay aware of current email scams. Many educational institutions and IT publications report on current trends and spreading emails scams.