%PDF-1.3 1 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Outlines 2 0 R /Pages 3 0 R >> endobj 2 0 obj << /Type /Outlines /Count 0 >> endobj 3 0 obj << /Type /Pages /Kids [6 0 R 25 0 R ] /Count 2 /Resources << /ProcSet 4 0 R /Font << /F1 8 0 R /F2 9 0 R /F3 10 0 R /F4 11 0 R >> /XObject << /I1 24 0 R >> >> /MediaBox [0.000 0.000 612.000 792.000] >> endobj 4 0 obj [/PDF /Text /ImageC ] endobj 5 0 obj << /Creator (DOMPDF) /CreationDate (D:20250723083308+00'00') /ModDate (D:20250723083308+00'00') /Title (Report 07-2025) >> endobj 6 0 obj << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Annots [ 12 0 R 14 0 R 16 0 R 18 0 R 20 0 R 22 0 R ] /Contents 7 0 R >> endobj 7 0 obj << /Length 7931 >> stream 0.702 0.800 0.816 rg 34.016 34.016 543.969 723.969 re f 1.000 1.000 1.000 rg 45.266 80.351 521.469 666.383 re f 0.773 0.773 0.773 rg 0.773 0.773 0.773 RG 45.266 746.734 m 566.734 746.734 l 565.984 745.984 l 46.016 745.984 l f 566.734 746.734 m 566.734 80.351 l 565.984 80.351 l 565.984 745.984 l f 45.266 746.734 m 45.266 80.351 l 46.016 80.351 l 46.016 745.984 l f 0.200 0.200 0.200 rg BT 61.016 693.716 Td /F1 14.4 Tf [(SARS PHISHING SCAM FROM SUN EMAIL)] TJ ET 0.400 0.400 0.400 rg BT 61.016 664.909 Td /F2 9.0 Tf [(Posted on )] TJ ET BT 104.045 664.909 Td /F3 9.0 Tf [(January 01,1970)] TJ ET BT 173.588 664.909 Td /F2 9.0 Tf [( by )] TJ ET BT 188.096 664.909 Td /F3 9.0 Tf [(IT Communications)] TJ ET 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 61.016 637.420 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(If you receive an email with the subject SARS eFilings from any university email account, do not respond or click on the )] TJ ET BT 61.016 626.431 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(link. This is not a legitimate email from SARS.)] TJ ET BT 61.016 606.442 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(The suspicious email is being sent from compromised staff email accounts informing users that "An EMP Statement of )] TJ ET BT 61.016 595.453 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Account for the tax payer listed below has been issued by SARS" and you "need to log into the google doc with your )] TJ ET BT 61.016 584.464 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(correct details to view the document". \(as shown in example below\):)] TJ ET BT 61.016 564.475 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(It is important that you help us by spreading the word, informing us about suspicious mails and letting your colleagues and )] TJ ET BT 61.016 553.486 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(friends know about the scams. You are our eyes and ears, and your input, information and questions are extremely )] TJ ET BT 61.016 542.497 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(valuable.)] TJ ET BT 61.016 522.508 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(When you click on links and provide your information on phishing emails, criminals will be able to gain access to your )] TJ ET BT 61.016 511.519 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(personal information. If you clicked on the link of this phishing email, immediately go to the www.sun.ac.za/useradm )] TJ ET BT 61.016 500.530 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(website and change the passwords on all your university accounts.)] TJ ET BT 61.016 480.541 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Remember that once the phishers lose control of one compromised account they might simply move over to another )] TJ ET BT 61.016 469.552 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(account and they might also close the website they were using once it is blocked by us and would use another one that )] TJ ET BT 61.016 458.563 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(looks and acts in the same way.Currently, the phishers are servers in Europe to launch their attacks.This is a common )] TJ ET BT 61.016 447.574 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(tactic with a spear-phishing attack such as this.)] TJ ET BT 61.016 425.785 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(To help us, please:)] TJ ET 0.153 0.153 0.153 RG 85.866 408.612 m 85.866 409.024 85.696 409.434 85.404 409.726 c 85.113 410.017 84.703 410.187 84.291 410.187 c 83.878 410.187 83.469 410.017 83.177 409.726 c 82.885 409.434 82.716 409.024 82.716 408.612 c 82.716 408.200 82.885 407.790 83.177 407.498 c 83.469 407.207 83.878 407.037 84.291 407.037 c 84.703 407.037 85.113 407.207 85.404 407.498 c 85.696 407.790 85.866 408.200 85.866 408.612 c f BT 91.016 405.796 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(continue to watch out for mail like or similar to this and do NOT respond to it, click on links or provide your email )] TJ ET BT 91.016 394.807 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(address username or password)] TJ ET 85.866 386.634 m 85.866 387.046 85.696 387.456 85.404 387.748 c 85.113 388.039 84.703 388.209 84.291 388.209 c 83.878 388.209 83.469 388.039 83.177 387.748 c 82.885 387.456 82.716 387.046 82.716 386.634 c 82.716 386.222 82.885 385.812 83.177 385.520 c 83.469 385.229 83.878 385.059 84.291 385.059 c 84.703 385.059 85.113 385.229 85.404 385.520 c 85.696 385.812 85.866 386.222 85.866 386.634 c f BT 91.016 383.818 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(report the new phishing mail to the correct e-mail addresses of Information Technology Cyber Security using the )] TJ ET BT 91.016 372.829 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(method added to the bottom of this post)] TJ ET 85.866 364.656 m 85.866 365.068 85.696 365.478 85.404 365.770 c 85.113 366.061 84.703 366.231 84.291 366.231 c 83.878 366.231 83.469 366.061 83.177 365.770 c 82.885 365.478 82.716 365.068 82.716 364.656 c 82.716 364.244 82.885 363.834 83.177 363.542 c 83.469 363.251 83.878 363.081 84.291 363.081 c 84.703 363.081 85.113 363.251 85.404 363.542 c 85.696 363.834 85.866 364.244 85.866 364.656 c f BT 91.016 361.840 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(remember, just because a mail comes from a student or a personnel e-mail address and has university )] TJ ET BT 91.016 350.851 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(branding does not mean in any way that it is legitimate)] TJ ET BT 61.016 330.862 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(If you have received mail that looks like this please immediately report it to the Information Technology Security Team )] TJ ET BT 61.016 319.873 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(using the following method: \(especially if it comes from a university address\))] TJ ET BT 78.360 299.900 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(1.)] TJ ET BT 91.016 299.884 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Start up a new mail addressed to )] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 225.080 299.884 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(sysadm@sun.ac.za)] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 RG 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 225.080 298.733 m 303.740 298.733 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 303.740 299.884 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( \(CC: )] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 327.239 299.884 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(help@sun.ac.za)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 327.239 298.733 m 391.904 298.733 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 391.904 299.884 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(\))] TJ ET BT 78.360 288.911 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(2.)] TJ ET BT 91.016 288.895 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Use the Title SPAM \(without quotes\) in the Subject.)] TJ ET BT 78.360 277.922 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(3.)] TJ ET BT 91.016 277.906 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(With this New Mail window open, drag the suspicious spam/phishing mail from your Inbox into the New Mail )] TJ ET BT 91.016 266.917 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Window. It will attach the mail as an enclosure and a small icon with a light yellow envelope will appear in the )] TJ ET BT 91.016 255.928 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(attachments section of the New Mail.)] TJ ET BT 78.360 244.955 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(4.)] TJ ET BT 91.016 244.939 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Send the mail.)] TJ ET BT 61.016 224.950 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(IF YOU HAVE FALLEN FOR THE SCAM:)] TJ ET BT 61.016 204.961 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(If you did click on the link of this phishing spam and unwittingly give the scammers your username, e-mail address and )] TJ ET BT 61.016 193.972 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(password you should immediately go to )] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 221.081 193.972 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(http://www.sun.ac.za/useradm)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 221.081 192.821 m 341.627 192.821 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 341.627 193.972 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( and change the passwords on ALL your university )] TJ ET BT 61.016 182.983 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(accounts \(making sure the new password is completely different, and is a strong password that will not be easily )] TJ ET BT 61.016 171.994 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(guessed.\) as well as changing the passwords on your social media and private e-mail accounts \(especially if you use the )] TJ ET BT 61.016 161.005 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(same passwords on these accounts.\))] TJ ET BT 61.016 141.016 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(For more information on reporting and combating phishing and spam:)] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 339.638 141.016 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(http://blogs.sun.ac.za/it/en/2017/11/reporting-spam-)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 339.638 139.865 m 545.243 139.865 l S BT 61.016 130.027 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(malware-and-phishing/)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 61.016 128.876 m 152.042 128.876 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 402.934 110.038 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [([Information supplied by David Wiles])] TJ ET BT 61.016 90.049 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [()] TJ ET q 225.000 0 0 145.500 61.016 427.766 cm /I1 Do Q endstream endobj 8 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F1 /BaseFont /Helvetica-Bold /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 9 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F2 /BaseFont /Helvetica-Oblique /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 10 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F3 /BaseFont /Helvetica-BoldOblique /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 11 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F4 /BaseFont /Helvetica /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 12 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /A 13 0 R /Border [0 0 0] /H /I /Rect [ 61.0157 427.7659 286.0157 573.2659 ] >> endobj 13 0 obj << /Type /Action /S /URI /URI (http://blogs.sun.ac.za/it/files/2018/08/burden.jpg) >> endobj 14 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /A 15 0 R /Border [0 0 0] /H /I /Rect [ 225.0797 299.0512 303.7397 308.2087 ] >> endobj 15 0 obj << /Type /Action /S /URI /URI (mailto:sysadm@sun.ac.za) >> endobj 16 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /A 17 0 R /Border [0 0 0] /H /I /Rect [ 327.2387 299.0512 391.9037 308.2087 ] >> endobj 17 0 obj << /Type /Action /S /URI /URI (mailto:help@sun.ac.za) >> endobj 18 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /A 19 0 R /Border [0 0 0] /H /I /Rect [ 221.0807 193.1392 341.6267 202.2967 ] >> endobj 19 0 obj << /Type /Action /S /URI /URI (http://www.sun.ac.za/useradm) >> endobj 20 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /A 21 0 R /Border [0 0 0] /H /I /Rect [ 339.6377 140.1832 545.2427 149.3407 ] >> endobj 21 0 obj << /Type /Action /S /URI /URI (http://blogs.sun.ac.za/it/en/2017/11/reporting-spam-malware-and-phishing/) >> endobj 22 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /A 23 0 R /Border [0 0 0] /H /I /Rect [ 61.0157 129.1942 152.0417 138.3517 ] >> endobj 23 0 obj << /Type /Action /S /URI /URI (http://blogs.sun.ac.za/it/en/2017/11/reporting-spam-malware-and-phishing/) >> endobj 24 0 obj << /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 300 /Height 194 /ColorSpace /DeviceRGB /Filter /DCTDecode /BitsPerComponent 8 /Length 10899>> stream JFIF;CREATOR: gd-jpeg v1.0 (using IJG JPEG v62), quality = 82 C    !'"#%%%),($+!$%$C   $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$," }!1AQa"q2#BR$3br %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz w!1AQaq"2B #3Rbr $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ?K^tAm챷̹dwӿ% O<km:+YG'1RYjpYlPAS(QF(1F(1@b(b (QEQE% O𿄭 27Opr9Kڕ>st+Y,tKyWl p{֕72(ʿfYDj$+_'mYz"0W ]k3vr5մ GQrH Vf<09dGm>e l% @9}Əg=ᴙLs{\x?IJFb+Tbp}Ǡ8MFI2 ۙUQ~i qQv"xlYBHdv nr{ }hKl6bg/'j)옷Xϻ8}jZʶ6O"ó`0n˵Z{,Wlp9݌ӚBvdW=,&XXmj&8 ۛ$|zS vP>b=:`=k7^-[pѤɸg88݃Oo&vq:+x\A*Epf91qĭ'}fl(m vۥtTW:.P,c+1 1Sj;EʖH{h:\4PSzd0Oüw>%Y\<|7NI<~Ess>&2ٶqm'`9hhwz vpP!9sy J()i{, *违UdXgv ǀ>S󬮡;w}8|L|(_Ώ:8AvTzE qks:H<YR,{Ev ] *?vܰiOfdծ?ypLc=ԔEx L,7; m+Bvn ķ[p"Yʁ9Ucg*N 5gpɍѥWpnNcG9,G1RM %"GFI]>l{8 +_  8_6; +iwysZmZk]Zج,dP!G>+grYbYH m(ϰ,&69!+"[aJP.#XD:6ً1Ʈ~4xK;av.@EP7uY * F@]z2u,<6l^Vf2`s7E5%;/dy7.fT=FOzJ;p}n[~*V֊,g{wUw187F^>`@8#EkEkekeq煀pXBӯR 9Lf8r0O^㏡>GCNMr,1h`8MhA*]ۼDҬ -#߅ys@ 0"VdUl"{Luietv#Q)s(|V/| j\[;M,+1fRH*|E76svP0;7U-sCNԾ!zF%僙|P dtLJaɎdf`36 '֦qwm$f:%0-*מo|mXY ";l \cOQ#2POݷvr-4H'yU'kg͟-Hs팚_K&i$mBYKݎ?4{-R\$?QxR/|}Z_4Ic?_0F ̓€,Eytb*0OU(])E(0* 8N:՘mHXS"Iǔ[#$?Z>%l?l #dq?I䙆~m< rG<^,ԷG.[6?tq wZEy乑cB0^Prq:*5[8yur&DȪ@#{hNqm5/#jwpۂJ}ӍeFj6km% I ܃@0Xt˱gvE$wv~wPhv:4]R~،~Ri8=]v<{&iJD `I'$ƭ  )$O;|)ݓ<ߧ}foZEևj:I &aIJ: ⇖╯Me嫲mXsǹ\M}cu!Ӯ v6b[0vA׌1C:U~&hv4+}oB۲ \=)K.ħof9(2xZ($y/ ٭9=H?K'mഴkRS Ys1}i9((—=R(d{uVSЂQwJM͌2T$d#w\5Rg8!3\DK[H5Oi$p*8۴HI<j& :ˀJ.H8P=QE=2,*ț%C_Ns\|Ege%[ sq$q3*0VaT7zXVǎodQP˧n# P=ejJ6Z[ۛo>+D$*oN<)mI [}~cuH.L:vւk&FQP ~Rdj;B10ws ͐6sӭhGH(9Or~7!KIZ if7ܥ+!#?!یcO}%4*ۼv奚71F1ԑǠ9sJXKEΪA xt,#FIdb?kOovI,Or!U9lHԉ[Ǻ\0,6+QZ6wvXu";푃h `1G ㏧ȼ)Bţ-$}E6:4K XREEm/s3靼29 x^ԅ0" @wg~rAV20 OhqTӡP^22<ퟻ>.N܃8>sע1z6n `;Wo la ['.WfO98ZPd. m>Hv?'''MD<#.Ռl &v醎2AclQ@wѮiyd9s$ѮOh1v2sZ(;B1nl s1z<B%ҭULmۿcckfO hѼo bQ]bʟvO}kШ?͋Gg:2I0luk7 ~G̪x#vT9"QEpTұi k¢GW $[x >py<3G={Ƈ9E91F%c$v@ (A6.s~T(6/\ (*JZ(/DQ8yk9Zu-r~Q^:Wq:1EPEPEPEPEPEPEPEPEPEPEPM(qEYWW++cU4G-@ 0qGdڍO3"p d`#aǽKvL>z ed=iPI 7V3ol^Y3[(w .7 s%~K$-Bc#PEwUs.YN6>n9j& 4ou4v؇@_8vGRu˰&G-IF׷t.Bwc)Qk06}N}(FʖU(|#o\tFNߟqנ Z+%P9lC cKBc@01'P:Em\ ԋy~b$|p_(BڙNcO{E6* ͸Ѣ%/Ʃb]03s^"4h϶lʿa -8T.V[Px?ZТUT:c! %oG[I~FMO9?ƨkmfZIe*Ma?x9ztI(Gv&ΆzٍvS+ٍpr0yn}\(;/ }G=vfb;/QY7/zỌ=_"AN2Š2(@fE(((`36zHWvN[۞S? )U-0Q#F[c I$zN}zV%&GOvjB#̅0?5zT  c k&&Z@'nEdZʨ-'8ך62<̃'1޴h UxXJ$pS?);ס<ןi@G,nR  縭(5O)y76{5V1p5Ee+T2%Uӌn$N6XQТ(cT#ߛبkJI#?'[PtHcPLo\4^V9| ʨŸ::I`A9OLh2jRVD_>j' 1޴(kbUHF>%`+(( O]袪_& (((((((((((((((((( endstream endobj 25 0 obj << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Contents 26 0 R >> endobj 26 0 obj << /Length 627 >> stream 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg 0.373 0.169 0.255 RG 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 0.702 0.800 0.816 rg 34.016 34.016 543.969 723.969 re f 1.000 1.000 1.000 rg 45.266 719.245 521.469 38.739 re f 0.773 0.773 0.773 rg 0.773 0.773 0.773 RG 45.266 719.245 m 566.734 719.245 l 565.984 719.995 l 46.016 719.995 l f 566.734 757.984 m 566.734 719.245 l 565.984 719.995 l 565.984 757.984 l f 45.266 757.984 m 45.266 719.245 l 46.016 719.995 l 46.016 757.984 l f 61.016 734.995 m 550.984 734.995 l 550.984 735.745 l 61.016 735.745 l f 0.400 0.400 0.400 rg BT 61.016 749.193 Td /F2 9.0 Tf [(Posted in:E-mail,Phishing,Security | | With 0 comments)] TJ ET endstream endobj xref 0 27 0000000000 65535 f 0000000008 00000 n 0000000073 00000 n 0000000119 00000 n 0000000339 00000 n 0000000376 00000 n 0000000514 00000 n 0000000631 00000 n 0000008614 00000 n 0000008726 00000 n 0000008841 00000 n 0000008961 00000 n 0000009069 00000 n 0000009196 00000 n 0000009298 00000 n 0000009426 00000 n 0000009501 00000 n 0000009629 00000 n 0000009702 00000 n 0000009830 00000 n 0000009910 00000 n 0000010038 00000 n 0000010163 00000 n 0000010290 00000 n 0000010415 00000 n 0000021483 00000 n 0000021548 00000 n trailer << /Size 27 /Root 1 0 R /Info 5 0 R >> startxref 22227 %%EOF E-mail « Informasietegnologie
Language:
SEARCH

  • Recent Posts

  • Categories

  • Archives

E-mail

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

How to protect yourself from ransomware

Friday, May 19th, 2017

A serious virulent ransomware threat known as WannaCrypt0r/WannaCry has been affecting Windows computers on shared networks in around 150 countries worldwide. Once one computer on a network is affected, the malware infection easily spreads to other Windows computers on the same network, shutting down entire government agencies and national infrastructure companies. More on this attack. 

Ransomware forms part of a group of malicious computer software called malware,  which installs itself on your PC. It can be installed by means of an e-mail attachment, an infected programme or unsafe website with malware installed on it.  The software “kidnaps” your data by encrypting or limiting your access to it and then sending you a message demanding money to regain your access.  The only way access is possible again, is by acquiring an encryption key from the creator of the ransomware at a fee and this isn’t necessarily guaranteed.

But how do you protect yourself from ransomware? 

  • If you use Windows, install the patch that Microsoft has released to block the specific exploit that the WannaCry ransomware is using. Instructions can be found in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. You can also directly download the patches for your OS from the Microsoft Update Catalogue. (Take note that this is mostly applicable to devices that are not on the university network.)
  • Update your Antivirus software definitions. Most AV vendors have now added detection capability to block WannaCry. (Devices running on the SU network should be up to date)
  • If you don’t have anti-virus software enabled on your Windows machine, enable Windows Defender, or Avast! AV or Avira AntiVirus, which is free.
  • Backup regularly and make sure you have offline backups. That way, if you are infected with ransomware, it can’t encrypt your backups.
  • For further reading, this is an excellent detailed write-up on the WannaCry ransomware.  
  • Get the word out.

[INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY DAVID WILES]

Email

Tags:
Posted in E-mail, Security | Comments Off on How to protect yourself from ransomware

Dangerous phishing scam disguised as a University salary increase notice

Thursday, May 18th, 2017

With the criminals first partly successful spear-phishing attack in April with an email about a salary raise and directing their victims to go to a forged webpage that looks EXACTLY like the e-HR website, they are at it again with a few variations: 

The subject is now “URGENT: Your May Salary Issue” and says the following: 

Hello,

In accordance with the Fiscal Year 2017 Salary Allocation Guidelines, this is to inform you that your monthly salary starting May 31st, 2017 will reflect a 13.98% (percent) merit increase.

Your new salary is as analyzed herewith. The documents are attached below: (attached link to the forged website)

This is an EXTREMELY dangerous e-mail, because its earlier version fooled a number of university personnel into giving the scammers their login details and passwords. 

Clicking on the link will take you to a forged version of the SUN e-HR site. If you enter your username and password (because the site looks like the SUN e-HR site), the criminals will have been given access to your personal details on SUN e-HR. 

Here is what the forged site looks like:

Note the forged address marked in yellow at the top. IT blacklisted and blocked access to that site from within the university, but please support them by following the procedures on the following page: http://stbsp01.stb.sun.ac.za/innov/it/it-help/Wiki%20Pages/Spam%20sysadmin%20Eng.aspx

[ARTICLE BY DAVID WILES]

 

Email

Tags:
Posted in E-mail, Security | Comments Off on Dangerous phishing scam disguised as a University salary increase notice

Critical ransomware attack targeted Windows computers

Saturday, May 13th, 2017
A serious virulent ransomware threat known as WannaCrypt0r/WannaCry has been affecting Windows computers on shared networks in at least 150 countries worldwide. Once one computer on a network is affected, the infection easily spreads to other Windows computers on the same network, easily shutting down entire government agencies and national infrastructure companies. More information on this attack

Ransomware is a malicious script or software that installs itself on your computer without you knowing. Once it’s installed and running, it will lock down your system and won’t allow you to access any files or programs on that computer. To unlock your system and regain access to the computer being held hostage, the lock screen informs you that you must pay for an unlock tool or decryption key from the hacker.

If your Windows computer is connected to a shared network, such as those at the University, Information Technology will automatically keep your Windows up-to-date so you don’t have to.

If you are running Windows and automatic updates are enabled you should be okay. If you don’t and haven’t updated recently you should update to the most recently released version immediately. Information Technology does manage automatic updates on many of our computers, but users also have to check their computers, especially with laptops that are taken home, in hostels and connect to other less well-managed networks. 

Keep an eye open for phishing e-mails requesting that you click on links and fill in your username and password. Beware sites that you visit that have suspicious popups that ask you to install software or “inform” you that your computer is infected with viruses.

Just because the mail looks like it has been sent from a university address or the site that you visit looks like a university or Internet banking website, don’t be fooled. Check the address and what you are being asked to do. If in doubt ask Information Technology, or your local “computer nerd”. They will be able to help and advise you.

More articles on ransomware.

[ARTICLE BY DAVID WILES]

Email

Tags:
Posted in E-mail, Security | Comments Off on Critical ransomware attack targeted Windows computers

Salary increase e-mail not quite good news

Tuesday, April 4th, 2017

Several of our observant personnel have picked up that a very suspicious e-mail is making the rounds at the moment.

The subject is “NOTIFICATION: Your 13.69% Salary Increase”. 

This is a very dangerous e-mail. Clicking on the link will take you to a forged version of the SUN e-HR site. If you enter your username and password (because the site looks like the SUN e-HR site), the criminals will have been given access to your personal details on SUN e-HR. The ramifications of this will mean that the scammers will potentially be able to get details such as your banking details, ID number, place of residence, that are all stored on the SUN e-HR system. They will potentially then be able to steal your salary.

The e-mail contains the following message:

Hello,

Attached herewith are two (2) documents summarizing your April salary as reviewed for a 13.69% merit increase in Financial Year 2017.

This review is with immediate effect starting Friday April 28th Paycheque.

Deductions and bonuses are advised therein

The documents are attached below:

…

 

Below is what the forged site looks like. The address is not a university server BUT very few people notice such details and tend to skim over them.

 

[ARTICLE BY David Wiles]

Email

Tags: ,
Posted in E-mail, Security | Comments Off on Salary increase e-mail not quite good news

Phishing scam disguised as a “server warning”

Friday, March 10th, 2017

There are reports that some students and personnel have already received this mail in their mailboxes. It is a typical phishing scam but uses a different tactic to trick the recipient into divulging personal details like passwords and should not be responded to in any way. That mail was sent by a “throwaway” outlook.com mail account. It started making its appearance in June last year in Yahoo!Mail accounts.

According to this e-mail, which claims to be a “Server Message”, telling the potential victim that they recently initiated an action to shut down their e-mail account. The e-mail advises that, if they did not initiate the supposed shut down action, they should click a ‘Cancel De-activation’ link to restore your account to its normal settings.

However, the e-mail is not from the university, and no account shut down action has been initiated. The e-mail is just a crude phishing scam designed to steal your university account login details. The scammers hope that at least a few recipients will click the cancel link in the mistaken belief that they must do so to save their account.

If you do click the link, you will be taken to a fraudulent web page that has been built to emulate a genuine login screen. A form on the page asks you to enter your e-mail address and account password and click a button labelled ‘Sign in to Cancel De-activation”.  After signing in on the fake page, you will be automatically redirected to the university webmail website.

Meanwhile, the scammers can collect the login details you entered and use them to hijack your university e-mail account. Once they have gained access to your account, they can use it to send out spam and scam e-mails in your name. (as has been happening in recent weeks)

E-mail phishing scams like this one are very common. Be very wary of any e-mail that claims that you must click a link or open an attached file to rectify a supposed account problem. It is always safer to log into all of your online accounts by entering the address into your browser’s address bar or via an official app.

Here is an example of the mail that is in circulation with the dangerous parts removed. 

 

[ARTICLE BY DAVID WILES]

Email

Tags:
Posted in E-mail, Security | Comments Off on Phishing scam disguised as a “server warning”

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »
 

© 2013-2025 Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author(s) and content contributor(s). The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by Stellenbosch University.