Phishing Email Scam: Quarantine Notification

Phishing Email Breakdown 

This email attempts to mimic a legitimate quarantine notification, claiming to inform the recipient about emails caught by the McMaster quarantine system. It prompts the recipient to click a link, which redirects to a fraudulent Microsoft login page designed to steal credentials. 

Visual Example of the Phishing Email 

Full Text from the Phishing Attempt 

Held Messages 

Hello {email address}, 

We identified a delivery hold that impacted (5) Mcmaster messages for {email address} on {date}. 

Please review and release messages below. 

Review Held Messages > 

Account information 

Organization name: Mcmaster 

Domain: mcmaster.ca 

Notification ID: {id number} 

Notification expiration date: {future date} 

How to Protect Yourself? 

1. Verify the Sender: Always verify the identity of individuals claiming to be someone important, especially if the message seems out of the ordinary and asks for personal information. 
2. Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links: Hover over or copy the link to view the complete domain name. Scammers often create URLs that resemble authentic ones by inserting subtle misspellings or extra characters. If the link looks suspicious, it’s safer to visit the official website directly or use a reputable search engine to find the correct webpage. 
3. Review Grammar and Punctuation Carefully: If a message is filled with spelling mistakes, inconsistent sentence structure, or odd phrasing, it may indicate a phishing attempt. 
4. Check Branding, Formatting, and Logos Carefully: Phishing emails may imitate official layouts or use low-quality, off-colour logos. Verify that logos, colours, and the overall format matches what you typically see from the genuine organization. 

Important Notes: 

1. Report Suspicious Messages: Reporting phishing attempts helps prevent others from falling victim to these attacks. Send suspicious messages to is-spam@mcmaster.ca for review and investigation. 
2. Educate Yourself: Learn about common phishing tactics. Consider participating in the Information Security Training Program to protect against cyber threats and secure your digital world.