IMPORTANT: Web Links in E-mail Can Be Dangerous

 

ATTENTION: Clicking on web links in e-mail can be as damaging as opening infected e-mail attachments.  Do not click on links in unsolicited, unverified email.

 

DID YOU KNOW...
As with opening malicious e-mail attachments, users may inadvertently compromise their machine or privacy by clicking on embedded links in e-mail. Clicking on links to questionable sites can easily unleash the following:

• a malicious VIRUS to wreak havoc on your machine
• be automatically added to hundreds of SPAM mailing lists even if the link is to "unsubscribe"
• a TROJAN program used to gain total control over your machine
• a KEY LOGGING program to steal all of your credit card numbers,  usernames, and passwords
• be redirected to a spoofed financial institution web site such as CitiBank, PayPal, or e-Bay to gain access to your account
• become unwittingly a distributions point for pornography and illegal file trading

HOW TO KEEP SAFE

• DO NOT open any web site links within e-mails unless verified from a trusted sender.
• DO NOT open any unexpected e-mail attachments even from known senders unless verified.
• DO install the free campus licensed anti-virus software with the latest anti-virus definitions set to automatically update.
• DO keep your Operating System up to date with the latest security patches installed through automatic updates.
• DO stay diligent about staying safe and always err with the side of caution.
• DO seek help or further clarification from our College technical support staff.

WHERE TO GET HELP
Walk-in help is available at the Technology Lifeline Center (TLC) in room 25, the Educational Computing and Media (ECM) Office in room 31, or the Instructional Computing Lab (ICL) in room 10. For any questions or concerns, please call the TLC support number at 244-6053.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
CITES Security Page

http://www.cites.uiuc.edu/security/

ANNOUNCEMENT PREPARED BY

Jobertito Cuaresma,

Network Administrator

College of Education,

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign