Home / News

IT Security

Phishing scam: "Login Attempt"

There is a phishing email targeting the McGill community with the subject "Login Attempt".  See an example of the message to the left. The example we received says,

"Dear user,

We recently encountered an unauthorized attempt to sign in to your email account. It is recommended that you validate your email account to keep it safe. 

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Please help us keep your account safe.

Best regards,

Center for information and media services

McGill University"

Classified as: IT security alerts, email scams, phishing
Category:
Published on: 30 Apr 2021

Phishing scam: "Subject: McGILL University is presently transiting from office365....

There is a phishing email targeting the McGill community, from "xxxxx [at] aesd.net" with the subject "McGILL University is presently transiting from office365 to outlook web application (OWA). Kindly click the link below for update from our transition department about your mailbox.".  

The email asks the recipient to click on a fraudulent link "#####". See an example of the message to the left.

Classified as: IT security alerts, email scams, phishing
Category:
Published on: 3 Mar 2021

Phishing scam: "Subject: RE: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Information!

There is a phishing email targeting the McGill community, from "xxxxx [at] monroe.k12.mi.us" with the subject "RE: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Information!". The email asks the recipient to click on a fraudulent link "MFAI". See an example of the message to the left.

Classified as: IT security alerts, email scams, phishing, Two-factor authentication (2FA)
Category:
Published on: 2 Mar 2021

Phishing scam: e-message from mcgill.ca Xerox Priority-Scanner

There is a phishing email targeting the McGill community from "mcgill.ca-Xerox-03 <xxx [at] nucleus.com>".  The message appears to be coming from a McGill Xerox scanner and includes a clickable link to view a fax.  See an example of the message to the left.

Classified as: IT security alerts, email scams, phishing
Category:
Published on: 18 Feb 2021

Phishing scam: "Subject: Raw Materials"

There is a phishing email targeting the McGill community, from "xxxxx [at] est.ups.edu.ec" with the subject "FW: Raw Materials". The email asks the recipient to click on a fraudulent link "Check New".

Classified as: IT security alerts, email scams, phishing
Category:
Published on: 18 Jan 2021

Phishing scam: "Busy"

There is a phishing email targeting the McGill community, from "chieffexecutivemanager [at] gmail.com" with the subject "Busy".  The example we received says, "Are you free to handle a task now?

Classified as: IT security alerts, email scams, phishing
Category:
Published on: 13 Jan 2021

Gift card phishing scam: "Can you do me a favor?"

What is the gift card scam?

You may receive an email that looks like it comes from one of your coworkers,  saying something like: "Can you do me a favor?" 

If you reply, the next email asks you to purchase a gift card on their behalf. The message may say they need the card immediately, but they are too busy to do it, and they will pay you back as soon as possible.

These emails are not legitimate. They are being sent by malicious entities who are impersonating people in your contacts list to gain your trust and exploit you. These kinds of fraudulent emails, known as "phishing", attempt to gain your trust in order to access your personal and/or credit card information, or to get money (in the form of gift cards).

DO NOT click any links or reply to such messages. Delete these emails immediately!

Classified as: IT security alerts, email scams, phishing
Category:
Published on: 13 Jan 2021

Bitcoin extortion email scam - contact IT Service Desk

Watch out for emails that claim they have stolen your password and hacked into your your computer to "watch" you and record your data. They typically threaten to send videos of you watching porn to your contacts unless you "pay up" by transferring bitcoin into an account. You can view an example below.

If you receive such an email, please...

Report it to the IT Service Desk immediately.

And take the following actions:

Classified as: IT security alerts, email scams
Category:
Published on: 24 Nov 2020

Phishing scam: "Mandatory Training & Development"

There is currently a targeted phishing email circulating advising staff & employees to update their Discrimination & Sexual Harassment training, claiming that it is set to expire within the next 24 hours.  See an example of the message to the left.

Please DO NOT click any links or reply to the message. Delete this email immediately! It does NOT come from a McGill source.

Classified as: email scams, phishing, IT security alerts
Category:
Published on: 4 Sep 2020

Phishing scam: Beware of Fraudulent McGill FB group

There is currently a fake McGill Facebook website circulating that is targeting international students: 

Please DO NOT go to this website! It does NOT come from a McGill source.

BEWARE: At the start of the semester, there may be an increase of fraudulent links and phishing email that look like they are coming from McGill.

Classified as: email scams, phishing, IT security alerts
Category:
Published on: 27 Aug 2020

Event: True (cyber) crime McGill (COMPLETED)

Cybercrime. It could never happen here, could it? Ah, but it does, and more often than we’d like. Join IT Services on August 11 for an online lunch hour session filled with stories of cybercrimes committed at McGill and elsewhere - both the heinous and the hilarious. The stories you will hear are true. Only the names will be changed to protect the innocent. Pick up some handy tips for staying safe online and help prevent similar incidents from happening to you.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Classified as: IT Security Awareness Training; Cybersecurity
Category:
Published on: 3 Aug 2020

Phishing scam: "Pandemic Giveaway"

There is currently a targeted phishing email circulating asking you to click on a fraudulent link to information about "Personal Giveaway". See an example of the message to the left.

Please DO NOT click any links or reply to the message. Delete this email immediately! It does NOT come from a McGill source.

Classified as: email scams, phishing, IT security alerts
Category:
Published on: 26 May 2020

VPN access will require Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Update: May 13, 2020

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) was successfully implemented on the Virtual Private Network (VPN) as planned on May 5, 2020. Of those who were using the VPN prior to May 5th, 84% of staff and 47% of students and/or affiliates have enabled 2FA and now connect with greater security.

Classified as: IT security, Virtual Private Network (VPN), Two-factor authentication (2FA)
Category:
Published on: 13 May 2020

Phishing scam: "PROPOSITION URGENTE"

There is currently a targeted phishing email circulating asking you to click on a fraudulent link to view your document. See an example of the message to the left.

Please DO NOT click any links or reply to the message. Delete this email immediately! It does NOT come from a McGill source.

Classified as: email scams, phishing, IT security alerts
Category:
Published on: 5 May 2020

Phishing scam: "April Payroll Benefit"

There is currently a targeted phishing email circulating asking all staff & employees to verify their email account for an April benefit payment via an included link.  See an example of the message to the left.

Please DO NOT click any links or reply to the message. Delete this email immediately! It does NOT come from a McGill source.

Classified as: email scams, phishing, IT security alerts
Category:
Published on: 1 May 2020

Pages

Back to top