This month, we’re focusing on a particularly tricky scam. This one isn’t tricky because it’s complex on its surface; it actually relies on simplicity and brevity to lure in its victims. This scam mimics an important notification to trick recipients into handing over sensitive login information. It contains many hallmarks of a typical phish, but […]
This month, we’re focusing on another scam that preys on your emotions and altruistic intentions. This time, it involves cybercriminals taking advantage of fundraising for Ukraine. In just one week, legitimate fundraising for Ukraine mobilized more than $50 million in cryptocurrency. That kind of success always attracts opportunists who want their cut. This time, they’re […]
Attackers are using criminal Gmail accounts to target members of our institution with a phishing scam that involves requesting the recipient call a phone number for additional information. The attackers use dozens of Gmail accounts, using each account to target only one or a few users and modifying minor details to avoid detection. As a […]
The Office of Information Security has received reports of a SMiShing campaign targeting people at our institution. SMiShing occurs when cybercriminals use tactics common to phishing campaigns in text messages, attempting to communicate legitimacy to their unsuspecting victim. The reported scam (pictured below) is a text-based version of a common and long-running scam that is […]
Security researchers are warning of an uptick in phishing attacks targeting universities themed around COVID, Omicron, and testing information. These attackers seek to steal valuable information and often have the goal of tricking users into handing over their university (or other) log-in credentials. Below, you will find an example of a phishing message using Omicron […]
The Information Security Office recently became aware of the reemergence of a malware distribution network previously taken down by law enforcement. This phishing email may look like a reply from a previous familiar email chain. This malicious phishing email uses three types of email attachments to install malware. These attachments include: Microsoft Excel spreadsheets Microsoft […]
Members of the WashU community are receiving phishing emails impersonating university leadership, including Chancellor Martin and Dean Perlmutter. These messages request changes to direct deposit information due to suspicious activity. Phishing scams often impersonate people in leadership positions to encourage a heightened sense of urgency in the recipient. Additionally, information about leaders is publicly available […]
Bonus Scam of the Month On Father’s Day, 2021, Jaime Bardacke, a licensed clinical social worker in San Fransisco, received a phone call from a man who identified himself as Lt. Timothy Reid of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. Initially, Bardacke was not surprised by the call. She had dealt with legal issues involving […]
Attackers continuously adjust their tactics to circumvent our defensive strategies, using new methods to access our systems, data, and personal information. Even as attackers develop new scams, one element seems to carry on—impersonation. Our office frequently publishes about impersonation because it forms the basis of most phishing attempts. Often, attackers impersonate a high-ranking employee in […]
Zero-Click Security Threat Earlier this month, the Office of Information Security published an alert about “zero-click” spyware. Typical cyberattacks require the target to interact in some way with malicious content by clicking on a link or downloading an attachment from an unknown sender. Zero-click attacks do not require this sort of engagement. According to the interim […]
The Office of Information Security has received reports of a SMiShing campaign targeting students at our institution. SMiShing occurs when cybercriminals use tactics common to phishing campaigns in text messages, attempting to communicate legitimacy to the unsuspecting victim. The reported SMiShing attempt is posted below. The message sender is posing as someone in a position […]
Before we get to our Scam of the Month for July, we wanted to take a minute to say thanks to one of our readers who took the time to reach out and provide some additional clues from last month’s column. Here is a link to our post from last month: https://informationsecurity.wustl.edu/scam-of-the-month-june-2021/ Our reader points out […]
In each issue of the newsletter, we will feature, discuss, and dissect a scam that has appeared on our campus. These scams are “real” attempts to infiltrate our systems and/or gain access to sensitive and personal information of individuals in our community. By sharing these examples with our readers, we hope to enhance your awareness […]