UCF InfoSec would like to remind the UCF community to remain aware of phishing threats, especially as we approach the holidays.
1. Scams targeting those working and learning online
With so much time currently spent online, cyber criminals are taking advantage of our reliance on online collaboration tools. Security researchers have seen phishing emails spreading malicious software (malware) by pretending to be:
- messages claiming updates are required for collaboration software such as Microsoft Teams
- shared file notifications from sites like Google, Dropbox, or other online services
2. Scams with holiday themes
We expect to see holiday-related phishing messages as many may prefer to use online shopping this holiday season. Scams may include:
- fake package delivery notifications
- malicious PDF attachments that appear to be order receipts
- messages claiming to be from supervisors asking you to purchase gift cards for holiday gifts
- emails impersonating holiday e-cards or other online greetings
3. Protecting your accounts
If you receive an unexpected email asking you to take action, remember to:
- closely examine the sender’s email address to spot impersonation attempts
- contact the sender using contact information provided on their official website to confirm the message if you did not make a recent purchase or are not expecting a delivery
- contact the sender using a known good contact method rather than replying to the email if you are not expecting a shared file
Other steps you can take to protect your accounts include:
- enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all accounts that offer it
- setting a strong, complex password for each account and not reusing the same password for multiple accounts
Please share this information with family and friends so they can be protected as well. For more information about phishing, and how to report it, please visit https://infosec.ucf.edu/awareness/phishing/ . If you have any questions, please contact us at infosec@ucf.edu .
UCF InfoSec hopes everyone remains cyber vigilant while enjoying a safe and secure holiday season.