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West Hills Answers

Messaging Security for Students

Jeff Seed
  • Updated
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It is important to be aware of the common attacks cybercriminals use to gain unauthorized access to information and systems via electronic messaging.  Phishing messages, or messages that attempt to trick people into disclosing information, are a very common method of attack.  Please watch the short video below produced by the SANS Institute and refer to the information below for additional tips specific to WHCCD's email system.

 

Security Features in Office 365

External Email Banner - All emails that do not originate from inside of the WHCCD network will have a warning message prepended to the top of the email that says the following:

"This message did not originate from WHCCD.  Consider this when evaluating the trustworthiness of the message."

 If you receive a message claiming to be from someone at WHCCD, and it has this banner present, double-check the "From" address.

Safe Links – Links in messages are scanned for malicious content.  If a malicious site is detected, you will see one of the warning messages displayed here.

Anti-Phishing Quarantine - If a message is suspected to be phishing or malicious in nature, it will be quarantined.  You will receive a notification from quarantine@messaging.microsoft.com that you have one or more messages waiting for your review.  Use extra caution when determining the legitimacy of messages that were quarantined, as they are most likely fraudulent.

Safety Tips and Indicators – A notification will appear in Outlook below the sender's address to provide information on a message that can help you determine whether it may be fraudulent.  Examples may be the first time an email address is used to contact you or messages from unauthenticated senders. 

For screenshots and additional information, please see the following articles:

Additional Tips

  • For increased security, please enroll in 2-Factor Authentication: Enrolling in 2-Factor Authentication
  • Student account email addresses all end with @my.whccd.edu, and staff accounts end with @whccd.edu.
    • We have had instances where a compromised student account sends emails claiming to be an instructor.
  • Once you are an enrolled student, we will never ask you to send messages to or from a personal email account. This is how scammers attempt to bypass our filtering and security policies.
  • Never send your password to anyone.
  • If you come across a suspicious email, or if you have general questions as to the legitimacy of an email or program, you can forward the email to student services at your home campus.

 

Recent Examples of Phishing Emails

******************************************************************************************************

6/21/2022

From: Whccd <****@whccd.edu> [Note that this message appeared to originate from an @whccd.edu address, but it was flagged and quarantined because the address was spoofed by the attacker].  For more information about message quarantines, please see the following page: Security Features for Office 365 Email (zendesk.com)]
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2022 10:53 AM
To: ***** <****@whccd.edu>
Subject: whccd.edu | Work opportunity for ****@whccd.edu

 

Student Career Opportunities
Job Offer | Employment Opportunity
Position : Administrative Assistant
Recipient : ****@whccd.edu

You've received this email because you have been accorded from the Student Career Opportunities & Career Centers as eligible to apply for this position. This is a job ready platform that Whccd uses to connect students to early-in-career internships, part-time, and full-time jobs and work remotely - No experience required. My name is Dr Janice Ranck - Kphc Support Consultant/Communication & Management for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals - I presently work as an Independent Consultant for Kaiser Foundation Health Plans (Kaiser Permanente) - an American integrated managed care consortium, based in Oakland, California. For more information, please visit www.kp.org and www.healthy.kaiserpermanente.org

I'm reaching out to you today with utmost request and asked if you would like to be an Administrative Assistant for a part-time or full-time appointment and earn extra wages. I need someone who has strong work ethic and determination to complete tasks in a timely manner and also a fast learner. My objective is to employ someone who will provide professional fulfillment while contributing to the company’s growth.

Moreso, I've recognized that COVID-19 has--and continues to--rapidly change the way we work and live in an unprecedented way. The impact it has had on the research community can be felt worldwide, with institutions, universities, labs, publishers and other businesses closing their doors and moving the workforce to other places. In spite of the aforementioned snags, I have taken several steps to expand my remote access capabilities by running an empowerment program in conjunction with the Career Centers as a direct result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disaster which has disrupted many employment situations. I have since indulged myself in collaborative relationships that empower students to achieve their education and career goals.

If interested and would like to learn more, for further communication... please send the following information to Frederick H Leonard - my personal assistant via email: ****@gmail.com

Full Name:
Mobile/Cell Phone# (Phone Call & Text Only):
Personal Email Address:

Just a heads up! This is an interesting opportunity for you... you work remotely from home, school and anywhere that is convenient for you. *Immediate Hire - Start ASAP. This position can be filled immediately and you start off ASAP.

Compensation/Wages: You earn no less than between $300 to $700 weekly - depending on the tasks carried out including bonuses.

My goal is to always respond to email within one business day because of my busy work schedule. Please allow up to two full business days from when you receive this message to hear back from me or from my support staff/assistant.

Furthermore, due to my busy work schedule please send email Frederick H Leonard - my personal assistant via email: ****@gmail.com for any further enquiries or call or text if you have any questions - (630) ***-****.

Thank you.


Dr Janice Ranck
Kphc Support Consultant/Communication & Management
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals.
****@aol.com

******************************************************************************************************

4/7/2021

The IRS is reporting an increase in phishing attempts targeting college students.  Please see the following news release for additional information: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-warns-university-students-and-staff-of-impersonation-email-scam 

******************************************************************************************************

1/22/2021

From: ******** <******@my.whccd.edu> 
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2021 10:29 AM
Subject: Work from Home Position

Hello, 
I am a staff in the college, a professor shared me a link for students who might be interested in a PAID UNICEF PART-TIME POSITION job to make up to $500 weekly,  

Email for More info -  *******@outlook.com

NOTE: This is strictly Work from Home Position


Do have a good day.
Thank you

******************************************************************************************************

 

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