Is this Email Legit?

Sometimes we get emails requesting information from us. Occasionally they are legit, but many times they are just phishing emails.


A few weeks ago an email was sent to the entire district requesting staff validate their username and passwords.


This is a Phishing email. Our staff in Technology services quickly removed the email and blocked the sender...but this process wasn't instant, and you don't have the power of Tech Services looking over your personal email accounts. So let's talk about the ways we can protect ourselves from being tricked by phishing emails. 

1. The Source:

This email was sent from "Timothy Hershey - Serrano Intermediate", referencing server upgrades. Why would an email about technology be sent from a teacher account? It wouldn't. It would come from Technology Services. Same goes for personal email. A bank request for your account number comes from samplename@whelsfargoacountplan.co. It's not a legit email or domain address. 

2. Never Ever Send Account Info:

No matter how official an email message might look, it's always a bad sign if the message asks for personal information. Your bank doesn't need you to send it your account number. It already knows what that is. Similarly, a reputable company should never send an email asking for your password, credit card number, or the answer to a security question.

3. The Message Has Bad Grammar

We all make a typo mistake here and there, but a classic sign of bogus emails is bad grammar and spelling. 

4. Unrealistic Threats

This email states that "All Data Will be Lost!" Which is unrealistic in this day and age. Sometimes the threats are physical or monetary. "We will arrest you" "We will freeze your bank account". Requests of that magnitude don't come through email or phone messages. Their is a protocol with certified mail and correspondence. If they threaten you will jail time if you tell anyone else you know it's a scam!

Don't believe everything you see on the internet. If you ever doubt the validity of an email or message, a quick Google search will usually clarify things. You can also forward the email to us.

Update from KF

If you do click on a ransomware attachment, you may lose access to any files you have stored on your computer desktop or any thumb drives or hard drives attached to it. But your network (H or Home) drive is backed up by Technology Services every night. Anything you store on your network drive is backed up in case of disaster, and can be restored; anything you store on your own computer is NOT!