PULLMAN, Wash. – Be aware; there is a new email phishing scam hitting the WSU campuses posing as an upgrade.
The message shows as from “Washington State University [aa5d6@mst.edu]” with the subject line “WSU Account Upgrade” and contains the following text, including typos:
“As part of ongoing corporate security evaluation procedures we have identified an online intrusion in your Web Mail account and our automated system scan shows that your account has been effected by some DGTX virus that might be very harmful to all our subscribers.
We strongly recommend you to copy or click this url to scan your mailbox now.
[link removed by IS for security] Please do note that none of your files will be lost during this routine service.Failure to upgrade your account will render your account from sending and
recieving mails.Thank you,
Technical Mail Admin.”
Here’s what to do
If you do not reply to the email, then you are fine; there’s nothing more you need to do. If you did click on the link, but didn’t enter any personal information, (such as your Network ID or password), then the phishers will not have your account information, and there’s nothing more you need to do.
However, if you responded to the phishing email and entered your Access ID or Network ID and password or any other personal information, the phishers will have collected that information. The IS Security Office recommends that you immediately change your password and contact the IS Help Desk at 509-335-4357 or helpdesk@wsu.edu.
Never respond
For your protection, the IS Security Office recommends that you never respond to requests for personal information that may be contained in suspicious emails, voice messages, or text messages. It is best to assume any solicitation of personal information employing fraudulent methods, is not authentic.
Phishing is the act of attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, and/or credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
For further assistance or questions please contact your departmental IT support staff or the Help Desk at 509-335-4357 or helpdesk@wsu.edu.