Have you ever gotten a suspicious, email, call or message?
Did you know these messages are designed to get us to act quickly and give away sensitive information?
Recently, Yale has seen an uptick in these messages. By exercising mindful behavior, you can click with caution and stay ahead of cybercriminals.
This is easy to do with our Recognize, Relax, Rethink model!
Recognize
Be alert and know how to spot a suspicious message right away. This can be an email message, text message, or even a voicemail.
Common red flags for malicious messages include:
- A sense of urgency trying to get you to take action right away.
- An unusual request from what appears to be from a well-known sender, such as purchasing gift cards or sending money.
- An offer that seems too good to be true, such as a high paying job offer.
Relax
Pause before responding to unusual or suspicious messages. Cybercriminals know we’re more likely to fall for a scam when we’re busy or urged into quick action.
Take a moment to be mindful before reacting to unexpected or suspicious messages.
Rethink
Consider a more cybersafe action to take. Instead of responding, take one of the following actions:
- Be safe, not sorry. The best action you can take is to report the message to the Information Security Office (ISO). We can help determine if the message is legitimate.
- Go straight to the source. If the email appears to come from someone you trust via email, reach out to them via phone.
Taking the extra step to be mindful and not respond to suspicious messages goes a long way in keeping your and Yale's data safe!