%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:20250725004544+00'00') /ModDate (D:20250725004544+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; 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Office365 phishing e-mail

Friday, March 3rd, 2017

Please take note of a phishing e-mail circulating on campus which looks like an Office365 e-mail notification. Unfortunately, a few students have been caught out by this trap. 

We will not send you an e-mail resembling the one below. If in doubt, rather contact us to confirm whether it’s a legitimate request.

 

From: SU Student <phishingvictim@sun.ac.za>
   Sent: 03 March 2017 12:07 PM
   Subject: Missing Mails

   You have two(2) unread messages but cannot because your mailbox has
   exceeds its quota/limit.
   Click here to use the message retriever page and enter login again to
   access missing message.

   Secretary

   Office 365

   System Administrator

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What is the junk e-mail folder?

Tuesday, February 28th, 2017

Just before the weekend, we became aware of a particularly intrusive and persistent phishing attack. An e-mail, seemingly from Standard Bank, was distributed from a staff member’s e-mail account after being hacked.

In order to prevent the attack from causing more damage to other e-mail users, stricter spam filter measures had to be implemented over the weekend. After this time period, the filter was reset to its default.

These measures caused some e-mails that weren’t spam, to divert to Outlook’s Junk Mail folder. They were not deleted, but they weren’t visible in inboxes.

Even though it is advisable that you occasionally check your Junk mail folder, it seems some staff aren’t familiar with the folder or it’s function.

The Microsoft Outlook Junk E-mail Filter helps reduce unwanted email messages in your Inbox. Junk e-mail, also known as spam, is moved by the filter away to the Junk E-mail folder.

How the Junk E-mail filter works

The Junk E-mail Filter evaluates each incoming message to assess whether it might be spam, based on several factors. These can include the time when the message was sent and the content of the message. By default, the Junk E-mail Filter is turned on and the protection level is set to Low. This level catches only the most obvious spam. You can make the filter more aggressive by changing the level of protection that it provides.

You can adjust the Junk E-mail Filter settings in the Junk E-mail Options dialogue box.

  • On the Home tab, in the Delete group, click Junk, and then click Junk E-mail Options.

Any message that is suspected to be junk is moved to the Junk E-mail folder. We recommend that you periodically review the messages in the Junk E-mail folder to check for legitimate messages that were incorrectly classified as junk. If you find a message that isn’t junk, drag them back to the Inbox or to any folder. You can also mark the item as not junk by doing the following:

  • On the Home tab, in the Delete group, click Junk, and then click Not Junk.

More detailed instructions can be found on the Office365 Knowledgebase and on Microsoft’s website.

We apologise for the inconvenience and confusion caused by these emergency measures. If you have any questions, please contact the IT Service Desk at 021 808 4367 or help@sun.ac.za.

 

Email

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Warning about (Standard Bank) phishing scam being sent from university e-mail address

Friday, February 24th, 2017

It seems that phishing scammers are again using some student accounts, either by direct access or address “spoofing” (a technique commonly used by spammers to hide the origin of their e-mails by using a forged return address ) to send phishing mail such as the one below to many university accounts.

The phishers attempt to trick the recipients of their mail into thinking that because the mail is from a “sun.ac.za” account, it is genuine.

The mail below is an obvious phishing scam and should not be responded to. Also, don’t click on the enclosed links or provide any usernames, passwords or personal details to the senders.

Looking at the mail below, note the following 5 “warning signs”.

  1. No personal salutation – Just “Valued Customer”.
  2. Intimidating threats should you not comply – “Failure to Update”.
  3. Request to click a link to verify your details or to provide usernames and passwords
  4. The link takes you to a webpage that might look legitimate but is not based in the university network. (this phishing scam originated in Sri Lanka)
  5. Poor grammar and spelling.

Never be fooled if a mail seems as if it was sent from a university address.

In this case, the e-mail address of an Agricultural Sciences student was used.

Information Technology does have a good automated mechanism for submitting spam. It is quite simple to use, but being automated there will be no indication or acknowledgement that the mail has been received by Information Technology:

  1. Start a new mail addressed to sysadm@sun.ac.za
  2. Use the Title “SPAM” (without quotes) in the Subject field.
  3. With this New Mail window open, drag the suspicious spam/phishing mail from your Inbox into the New Mail Window. It will attach the mail as an attachment and a small icon with a light yellow envelope will appear in the attachments section of the New Mail.
  4. Send the e-mail.

Do not “Forward” the Spam mail to this address. When you forward the original sender and all the information that the spam filters use to filter out the mail is lost and the Forwarded mail will be rendered useless for the filters.

Here is the mail that is circulating at the moment (malicious links have been removed):

From: Compromised, Student Account <12345678@sun.ac.za>

Sent: 23 February 2017 16:00

Subject: Mandatory Update 

Dear Valued Customer, 

STANDARD BANK MONETARY SERVICES 

We wish to inform you that your Credit Card has been listed for suspension due to recent Error/Traffic on your previous transaction. 

You are MANDATED to re-update your details here: https://dont.click.on.this.link.com 

Failure to Update within 24Hours will Lead to your Banking Services Suspension/Interruption.

We are sorry for any inconveniences this might have caused you.

[ARTICLE BY DAVID WILES]

 

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Ransomware attack uses fake SA Post Office e-mails

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017

Be aware that a ransomware attack using fake SA Post Office e-mail has made its appearance recently on the Tygerberg network.

The hacking attack, originating in Russia, uses fake e-mails from the SA Post Office to inform the victim of a parcel intended for delivery. The mail contains a link which downloads malicious software – in this case a nefarious variant of the Cryptolocker malware.

Crypto ransomware is a type of malware used to extort money from victims by preventing access to their computer or files. Recovery of infected systems is virtually impossible without clean backups.

When the victim opens the malicious e-mail attachment, the virus attacks the target PC system, encrypts victim’s files and displays a ransom note, which informs the victim that in order to restore access to their files, a ransom of between $100 and $500 must be paid. Victims have only a certain amount of time to pay a ransom or they will lose access to their files forever.

If you have been backing up your data and have extra copies of your photos, documents, and other files, you won’t need to pay a ransom. Reformatting your drive, and restoring the drive from backup is the only reliable way of undoing the damage.

Cryptolocker ransomware is a nasty infection. Criminals only seek to earn easy money and frequently manage to do so. For victims of this ransomware, I want to emphasise that paying the ransom will not solve the problem. There is no guarantee that your data will be restored. Making the payment will not help to remove Cryptolocker ransomware.

Here is some advice to prevent becoming a ransomware victim:

  • Use spam filters and be cautious when opening e-mails, especially if there are attachments.
  • Make sure you are using reputable, up-to-date security products.
  • Make sure your operating system and applications are up to date and fully patched.
  • Run a regular scan of your computer.
  • Set and use strong and unique passwords.
  • Set passwords on all your hardware devices (modems and routers).
  • Back up your data.
  • Keep a backup copy of your data in a safe place, disconnected from your computer and the internet.
  • Only visit reputable websites and online services.

[ARTICLE BY DAVID WILES]

 

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Spam e-mail distributed on campus

Friday, February 10th, 2017

If you receive an e-mail resembling the one shown below, please ignore and/or delete it. We will never send an e-mail requesting you to upgrade your mailbox. 

Note that the malicious links have been removed and replaced with fake ones.

—–Original Message—–

From: Mr Spammer [mailto:fake@fake.edu]

Sent: 10 February 2017 10:34 AM

To: fake@fake.com

Subject: Fw: Sun Help Desk

Dear SUN Mail User,

You have exceeded the 5GB allocated to your mailbox follow this to upgrade your mailbox CLICK HERE <http://phishingaddress.com> to avoid deactivation in 7 hours.

SUN IT Service Desk Support

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