What to look out for:

One way to catch a fish is to trick it with bait. Phishing on the Web works the same way.
Remember: Wayne State will never ask for your login and password information via email.

A popular phishing technique asks you to reply to a message and send your password. As an example, you could receive a message claiming to be from some seemingly official (but non-existent) entity, e.g., “The Wayne Email Team,” saying that the mail system is being upgraded and your account will be deleted unless you respond immediately and provide your password.

Another technique is authentic-looking email with real organizations' logos, such as PayPal, eBay, or even your banking institution. If you take the bait by clicking or replying to the message, you could lose your money or even be a victim of identity theft.

Never send your login or password for any account via email. Be careful about logging in on pages linked from emails - phishers can make pages that look very similar to authentic login pages designed to steal your account information. Type in the web address yourself to be sure you are on the right page.

What to do if you receive a phishing email:

• Never reply to an email message requesting a password, user name, account number, or personal/financial information — no matter how legitimate the message may seem or who appears to have sent it.
• Delete the message. Viewing it typically does not harm your computer; the damage comes from replying  to it and providing a stranger with your personal information or information about Wayne State computer accounts.
• Report suspicious emails.  In Wayne Connect, you can drag and drop the suspected email on to the WSU Phish Report Zimlet.
• If you did reply to the phishing message and provided personal or account information, contact the C&IT Help Desk  at (313) 577-4778 or at helpdesk@wayne.edu.