Post on 09-Jan-2017
What is Bad Email?
Spam, Phishing, Scam, Hoax and Malware distributed via
Spam:Spam is unsolicited or undesired electronic junk mail. Characteristics of spam are:• Mass mailing to large number of recipients• Usually a commercial advertisement• Annoying but usually harmless unless
coupled with a fraud based phishing scam
SPAM
EXAMPLES
Advertising and great deals
Do I know this person?
Warning from Google-nice job Google
Sent to a large number of users at once
These emails often end up in our spam folder because of our spam filters in place
Is this a trusted website?
SPAM & PHISHING
EXAMPLE
americanexpress.com is the legitimate address not aexp.com
Sent to a large number of users at one time
Generic greeting
Asking you to click on a link that goes to a fraudulent website. Hover over the link to see where it really goes
Phishing Email:A phishing email is a fraudulent message carefully crafted to trick you into giving up your password or other sensitive information. Financial gain and criminal activity are the key motivations for email phishing. Characteristics of phishing emails are:• Invoke a sense of urgency• Asking you to click on a link embedded in the
email that has no affiliation with the organization it is masquerading as
• Asking for passwords or other sensitive information such as a social security number
• Generic greetings and signatures• Odd spelling or grammar
PHISHING
EXAMPLE
Scam Email:Email fraud or scams can come in many different forms such as job scams and lottery scams. They are cons and share the same characteristics:• Requests for money• Requests to cash a check, wire
money, or set up a bank account• Promises of money for little or no
effort• Odd grammar and misspellings
JOB SCAM
EXAMPLE
Email address looks real but does not actually exist
Asking you to respond to a non-SLU email address
Odd grammar
Too good to be true
Not a SLU person and no contact information
JOB SCAM
EXAMPLE
Asking you to send personally identifiable information such as SSN, drivers license or other ID
Hoax Email:A hoax email is also known as a spoof email. The sender alters part of the email such as the senders name or address so it appears to come from a legitimate source. Characteristics of hoax emails are:• Spread urban myths or outlandish stories• Sell a bogus product or market an online service• Spoofed email address to appear legitimate• Odd spelling or grammar• Promise or request of money
HOAX & SCAM
EXAMPLE
This could be a spoofed email address or compromised account of a SLU student so it looks legitimate
Invoke of sense of urgency or need
Sent to a member of the students contact list
Poor punctuation and odd grammar throughout body of message
Actual signature of SLU student
Malware distributed via Email:Malware, or malicious software, is software used to disrupt computer operation, gain access to private computer systems or gather sensitive information. Attachments in emails and internet advertising are two ways malware is distributed. Some types of malware include: • Viruses, ransomware, worms, Trojan horse, rootkits,
keyloggers, dialers, spyware and adware• A common Trojan horse masquerades itself as anti-
virus software. The Trojan presents itself as something harmful or useful in order to get victims to install it on their computer
• Could be a keystroke logger that can capture all your passwords!
MALWARE
EXAMPLE
Often sent from someone you trust without their knowledge
Enticing subject line
Generic looking attachment or link that will download malware to your computer without your knowledge
What do I do with Bad Email?• Spam or phishing from an unknown sender can be marked as spam within
your email program. This alerts Google to begin blocking the sender address. Other bad email such as hoaxes, can just be deleted unless…..
• Bad email from a known sender such as someone in your SLU contact list might indicate they have a compromised account. Forward the email to helpdesk @slu.edu so it can be investigated.
• Phishing email that is concerning, can be forwarded to the helpdesk so they can be investigated. Once forwarded, choose the report phishing option within Google. This alerts Google of the fraudulent activity.
• Other bad email that is concerning, such as those that might contain a malware attachment or job scams, can be forwarded to the helpdesk.
• If you have responded to any of these emails with personal information, or clicked on links that may have downloaded malware, please contact the ITS Service Desk at 977-4000 or helpdesk @slu.edu.
• The helpdesk will involve Information Security when necessary (infosecurityteam@slu.edu)
Summary:The easiest way for cybercriminals to gain access to
our resources is through unaware end users. Because this activity will continue to increase, it is imperative
that we critically evaluate emails we receive. We cannot stop cybercriminals from sending bad email, however, by becoming aware of what we should be
looking for, we can limit our response to them which in turn will protect our resources as well as our personal
information.
More info:For more examples on phishing emails, visit: http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/scamsandidentitytheft/ig/Phishing-Scams-and-Email-Cons/
Take the anti-phish IQ Test hosted by Dell SonicWall visit: http://www.sonicwall.com/furl/phishing/