Email is a vital part of daily life at Clackamas Community College, but it’s also a common way cybercriminals try to trick people. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a tech expert to protect yourself. Here’s how you can recognize and avoid malicious emails-and what to do if you spot one.
Things to Look For
1. Check the Sender’s Email Address
Scammers often disguise their emails to look official, but the sender’s address might have strange spellings or extra characters. For example, an email from “clackamas.edu” is legitimate, but “clackamas-edu.com” or “clackamas.mail@gmail.com” is not. If you don’t recognize the sender or something feels off, be cautious.
2. Watch for Generic Greetings
Phishing emails often start with “Dear Student” or “Dear User” instead of your real name. Official college emails usually address you personally.
3. Beware of Suspicious Links and Attachments
Never click links or open attachments from unknown or unexpected sources. Hover your mouse over a link (without clicking) to see where it leads. If it doesn’t point to a “clackamas.edu” address or looks odd, don’t click it.
4. Look for Poor Grammar and Formatting
Official college emails are carefully written and formatted. If you see lots of typos, awkward language, or strange formatting, it’s a red flag.
5. Be Wary of Requests for Personal Information
Clackamas Community College will never ask for your password, Social Security number, or bank details by email. If an email asks for this information, it’s almost certainly a scam.
6. Stay Alert for Emotional Triggers
Scammers often try to make you panic-like threatening to close your account or warning you’ll lose access to something important. If an email tries to make you act quickly out of fear, stop and think before you do anything.
7. Trust Your Instincts
If something about an email just doesn’t seem right, trust your gut. It’s better to be safe and double-check than to fall for a scam.
What Should You Do if You Suspect a Malicious Email?
Remember
You are the first line of defense against email scams. By staying alert and following these tips, you help keep your information-and the college community-safe.
If you ever have questions or need help, contact the Clackamas Community College IT support team. Stay safe!