Information Security and IT Compliance News

The university has seen an increase in smishing and phishing attempts. Reporting suspicious emails and text messages is easier than ever from both your computer and your phone. To report a suspicious email to be reviewed by one of our security experts, follow these directions on our website. 

To report a suspicious text message on your phone:
Both Apple and Android have the same process.

Note: You cannot report a message after you’ve replied to it. Best practice is not to reply to anything suspicious, especially when it is an unknown number.

If you have NOT opened the message on your phone, follow these steps: 

• Step 1: Open the Messages app on your phone.
• Step 2a: If you haven’t opened the suspicious message, swipe left on the message and tap the trash icon to delete. 
• Step 3a: An option will come up to “Delete” or “Delete and Report Junk.” Select the option to “Delete and Report Junk.”

Note: You can also do this if you open the message, back out without replying, and return to the main message screen. 

If you HAVE opened the message on your phone, follow these steps: 

• Step 1: Open the Messages app on your phone.
• Step 2b: If you have opened the message, a “Report Junk” link appears at the bottom of any message from an unknown sender. 
• Step 3b: Tap that link at the bottom of the message to “Delete and Report Junk.” 

To report a suspicious email on your phone:  
Open your mobile Outlook app.

• Step 1: Select the email you want to report.
• Step 2: Tap the (…) at the top of the screen. It will be beside a microphone and trash icon. 
• Step 3: Select “Report Junk” from the dropdown menu. 

Note: You will get the option to report it as “Junk” or “Phishing”, select the “Phishing” option. 

Together we can protect university data and information by staying vigilant and not clicking or responding to an email or text message that doesn’t seem right. Review our past newsletter for tips on how to identify a phishing attempt and best practices.