Key facts:
Spam: (noun) "Irrelevant or unsolicited messages sent over the Internet, typically to large numbers of users, for the purposes of advertising, phishing, spreading malware, etc"
Over 80% of ALL email traffic on the Internet is considered spam.
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- If you are not expecting the email, and don't know or recognise the sender, it may be spam BUT....
- It might also appear to have been sent from a colleague's account. It is easy to spoof someone's email address. If the message ticks several of the boxes in this list - it is probably spam.
- If the email is badly formatted or contains odd grammatical structures, it may be spam
- If the email may use unfamiliar terms - e.g. ICT helpdesk instead of CSCS Service Desk
- If it asks you for any personal information whatsoever, it may be spam
- If it contains links to websites that ask you to fill in any details, it may be spam
- hover your mouse pointer over the link (but don't click) to see what comes up - what might appear to be a web page to a University page might in fact say 'apply here' or refer to a non cam.ac.uk website
- If it has an attachment that you were not specifically expecting, do not open it.
If you are not sure ask us, there is no shame in it and we'll be glad you did
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If you see a piece of spam that seems to be targeted at the University and may have been widespread, forward a copy to spam@uis.cam.ac.uk for investigation and blocking for the entire University.