BU is one of many organisations targeted with spam and phishing emails, which are designed to look as though they come from banks, credit card companies, online shops and auctions, as well as other trusted organisations.
These emails are designed to encourage you to open the attachments or click on links which then deliver threats (Malware). Clicking on unknown attachments or links can result in infections, poor, slow system performance and sudden termination of application. By being more vigilant before opening attachments or clicking on links from unknown sources you can better protect yourself and the university.
As well as the damage they do to organisations, the threats also cause considerable harm to individuals, as they attempt to steal personal identifiable information. It is always worth looking at the URL or address line of the web page or the email sender’s name to check it is from the usual address. Please read our Staying Safe Online guidance to help you identify these sorts of emails, plus tips and advice on how to stay safe online. We've also put together a few examples of common spam emails you may receive.
Please be vigilant before clicking on a link that is asking for your login details. If you receive a message asking you to act immediately or requesting personal information, then please don’t follow it. Please contact the I.T. Service Desk for assistance and to validate if the message is true and legitimate. Our graphic shows some types of fraud to look out for. Even if you see a phishing email on your personal email but do not reveal any personal information, you should report it as a phishing attempt.
