By Ekhlas Abdullahi
Business Manage
This past semester multiple students have been targeted by phishing scams.
These scams have been sent through the RCTC email portal. According to RCTC’s Technology Services website, phishing scams are where an attacker tries to fool their target into revealing private information about themselves or who they affiliate themselves with.
Phishing scammers often include hyperlinks in emails that attach to a malicious website or include malicious content. Just clicking or downloading the link can compromise the victim’s computer.
If the victim’s account is compromised, the scammer will begin to send more phishing scams from their accounts. This compromises both the target’s information and reputation.
There are a couple of ways to check and avoid phishing scams. Scammers will often use urgent language when trying to target their victims. For example, an email might read as, Your account will be disabled unless you act now!!! or Please update your account information or your account will be terminated. or Your mailbox storage has exceeded the quota. Messages like this should be avoided or reported.
Other ways to avoid phishing scams are to never click on links sent from an unknown recipient and to trust spam filters. These all help protect us from a phishing scam. More information and help on how to deal with phishing scams can be found at www.rctc/edu/services/technology/phishing/.