Your username and password are the most common means for verifying your identity online. No one else (including an IT professional) should ever need your login information. Emails requesting your username and/or password are phishing attempts to try to deceive you into providing your credentials. Here are a few examples of what cyber attackers can accomplish once they have YOUR account information: they can use your University credentials to gain access to confidential information; send spam or threatening email on your behalf; as well as access, modify, or delete documents stored on your computer or on any other central file server you have permission to access.
If You Receive a Phishing Message…
- DO NOT reply. Either delete this message or report it to abuse@missouri.edu. When reporting phishing, please send the original email as an attachment by dragging and dropping it into a new message box.
- DO NOT click on links within the message or open any attachments.
- If you need further assistance, consult your IT support team or the IT Help Desk at 882-5000.
If you are a victim of a phishing scam, reset your password immediately. For information about resetting passwords visit http://doit.missouri.edu/accounts/passwords.html. If this vulnerability relates to your University account, you are required to report the incident. Please review the mandatory reporting requirement at http://doit.missouri.edu/security/response/.
For more great tips, security news and all the latest alerts, visit http://makeitsafe.missouri.edu/.
University of Missouri – Division of IT