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Phishing for Trouble: Part 1 - Don't Get Hooked in Your Inbox!
Ever clicked on a suspicious email promising free pizza or clicked a "reset password" link that seemed...off? Maybe that "urgent" DocuSign email? You're not alone! Educators are frequent targets of phishing attacks, clever attempts to trick you into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links.
This month, we're diving deep into phishing awareness. In Part 1, we'll explore the basics: what phishing is and how it works.
Think of phishing as digital bait: Attackers send emails, texts, or even make phone calls impersonating trustworthy entities like banks, schools, or tech companies. These messages often:
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Create a sense of urgency: "Your account is locked! Click here to unlock!"
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Offer irresistible deals: "Win a free iPad! Just fill out this survey!"
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Appear legitimate: Using familiar logos, email addresses, and even your name.
But beware the hook! Clicking suspicious links or attachments can:
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Steal your password or personal information: Used for identity theft or further attacks.
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Install malware on your device: Spyware, ransomware, or viruses that harm your system.
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Compromise student data: If attackers gain access to school accounts.
Stay vigilant! Here are some quick tips to avoid getting hooked:
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Hover over links before clicking: Check the actual URL it leads to (not just the displayed text).
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Be wary of unsolicited emails: Never share personal information unless you initiated contact.
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Verify suspicious messages: Call or visit the official website directly to confirm their legitimacy.
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Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication: Extra layers of security make it harder for attackers to get in.
Administration Tech To-Do:
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Implement email filtering: Many email servers offer filtering options to automatically tag or move external emails to a separate folder.
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Modify subject lines: Add a prefix like "[EXTERNAL]" to all incoming emails from outside the organization.
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Display visual warnings: Configure your email client to display a banner or icon next to external emails.
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Educate and empower users: Regularly train staff to identify phishing tactics and encourage them to report suspicious emails.
Remember: While specific implementation details vary depending on your email server (Outlook, Gmail, etc.), these suggestions offer a starting point for your tech team to enhance internal email security and make it easier for everyone to identify external messages.
By combining clear user awareness with proactive tech measures, you can create a safer digital environment for your educators and staff.
Stay tuned for Part 2 next month, where we'll learn how to spot red flags in emails and avoid common phishing mistakes!
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