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Help Desk
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Many of the requests we receive is asking whether an
email is a hoax or phishing email.
If you are unsure what we mean
by these terms, you’ll find some previous articles CyberGuru has
previously written on the topic at the followi\ng addresses, including
definitions of what these are:
It is important to understand that most of the time,
hoaxes and phishing emails use fraudulent email accounts to make you
access their websites and provide your confidential data to them.
Most times, the website and email address is fake and when picked up by
authorities, they are blacklisted and removed from the internet. However,
some times this may take a while to occur. In this cases, there are some
rules you should follow if you receive such an email:
1. Most
importantly, do not click on any links or open any attachments. A virus
infection might occur if you do this.
2. Forward the email to the
“abuse” account for your Internet Service Provider (ISP). They will often
have the means to blacklist the address or advise the police if necessary.
3. Do not forward it to your friends or colleagues, even if it is just
a warning.
If in doubt in any way, even if you recognise the
organisation or do deal with them, it is recommended that you do not open
the file and delete it immediately. If you feel you have been compromised,
call the provider of your bank/financial institution to ensure that you
are protected.
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