Humboldt State University Starts a Drive against Online Scams

Krcrtv.com published news on 14th January, 2015 stating that Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, USA is trying to keep personal details of staff and students completely safe and secure by informing them about fraudulent emails.

Krcrtv.com published news on 14th January, 2015 quoting Josh Callahan, Information Security Officer of Humboldt State University as saying "Students and faculty members may receive bogus emails asking for personal details that includes social security numbers."

Callahan says that the most common attack is the phishing scheme which is a kind of spam. Scammers try to collect information from users and access their account credentials via a thinly-disguised email message.

Now.humboldt.edu published a report on 8th January, 2015 stating that once the attackers gain access, they dig for social security numbers and other sensitive data before using the account to pursue other potential victims.

Callahan said: "There are two phases. In first phase, they are trying to take your password and username. In the second phase, they use your account to send set of emails with a fake web form which usually asks for financial information like your bank account and if they gain access to an email account at HSU, they will use it to send out phishing scheme to other Universities."

While institutions of higher education have always attracted thieves who try to steal information, the availability of wireless networks creates more access point and make it more vulnerable. The increase of mobile devices along with tablets and plenty of young technology-savvy users have made these universities more popular target.

The university calls for the entire staff to join in an online training program to educate the faculty and to avoid scams.

Krcrtv.com published news on 14th January, 2015 quoting a student Samantha Reid as saying "I definitely require look for it to make sure and cross check the authenticity of the information. I have seen some scams with wrong spelling which a university will check before sending out an email."

Students and faculty of Humboldt State University can report or block a fraudulent email or swindle by emailing Help@Humboldt.edu.

Arizona State University also called for its students and faculty to be careful of bogus emails in December 2014 much like Humboldt State University.

» SPAMfighter News - 1/23/2015