On Sept. 3, many members of the UF community received a phishing scam asking recipients to follow a link to upgrade their web mail.
Phishing (pronounced “fishing”) is a process by which someone tries obtain private information using deceptive means, usually by sending an email that appears to come from a business, bank, school or other trusted organization. The email may included a link that takes you to a counterfeit web site that very closely resembles a trusted website where they ask for your password, social security number, account number, driver’s license number or other personal information that can be used to steal your identity.
Phishing scams frequently…
- attempt to build credibility by spoofing a real company or university
- create a false urgency requiring a quick response — account will be closed
- insist on a call to action — click a link or reply with information
If you receive a phishing email, please forward the email with full headers to UFIT Security at abuse@ufl.edu. For more information on phishing cams, click here.