Phishing Alert: Payroll Notification Scam Links to Malicious Website
Pitt Information Technology is responding to an email phishing scam that claims to be a payroll notification from the University. The email links to a malicious website that attempts to capture an individual’s University credentials and mimics a Microsoft login page. The scam originates from outside the University, but the message claims to be from a University of Pittsburgh source.
The following is a sample of the recent scam. If you receive this message (or any message similar to it), please report it as a phishing scam by forwarding the email message as an attachment to phish@pitt.edu. Detailed instructions on reporting scams are available at https://www.technology.pitt.edu/security/phishing-scams.
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From: Pitt <external email address removed>
Sent: Sunday, December 6, 2020 2:11 PM
To: Doe, J <jdoe@pitt.edu>
Subject: Payroll Notification
You have a payroll update from pitt.edu Staff Portal
<link removed> to read.
Best Regards,
pitt.edu.
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Clicking the link in the email takes the reader to a fake Outlook Web App login page like the one shown below:
Pitt IT strongly recommends that you do not reply to unsolicited emails or emails from unverifiable sources. If you were not expecting to receive such an email, confirm with the sender prior to interacting with the message. If you must interact with the message, avoid clicking on links contained in such emails. These may lead to sites that contain malicious software, or sites that attempt to steal your credentials. If a link looks suspicious, you can hover over the link with your mouse to preview the URL without clicking on it.
In addition, Pitt IT recommends that all students, faculty, and staff install Antivirus and Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes) Protection. Departments can submit a help request to obtain Malwarebytes for multiple machines.
Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357) if you have any questions regarding this announcement.
