What is Phishing?

Phishing is an email scam, which tries to fool people into providing personal information, such as bank account and credit card numbers and University usernames and passwords. These phishing emails also sometimes contain web links to malicious websites that attempt to attack your computer. The emails often pretend to come from the University helpdesk, system administrator or webmaster.

The number and sophistication of phishing scams will continue to increase and while online banking and e-commerce gain in popularity, as a general rule you should be very careful about giving out your personal information over the Internet.

The University is frequently targeted with phishing attacks via email. Many of these attacks include poor formatting, grammar and spelling mistakes. However, many may look professional, complete with University or Bank logos and links that seem to take you through to the real Bank or University website, although these too will be fake. Email from phishers typically includes upsetting or exciting (but false) statements in their e-mails to get people to react immediately. This often includes the threat of closing down your email or user account.

Protecting yourself

• Be suspicious of any email with urgent requests for personal financial information, sensitive information, usernames or passwords for any website or organisation.
• Always err on the side of caution. Never reply or respond to an email request for any personal information.
• Do not click on the links in an email you suspect may be a phishing email.
• Report any potential phishing emails to the University's Information Security Team via email.

The University will never ask you for your Username and/or you password. This includes over email, phone or personal communications. You should never offer your password to anyone either. This is important to remember and is essential in protecting yourself from phishers and other scams.

Phishing Examples

Here are a few examples of Phishing emails that pretend to come from the University of Adelaide, requesting your username and password.

Here are a few examples of Phishing emails that pretend to come from popular Australian Banks.