Public school employees are often targeted by phishing attacks because they have access to sensitive information, such as student records and financial data. Phishing emails can look like they are from legitimate sources, such as the school district, a vendor, or a government agency. However, the emails are actually from scammers who are trying to steal your personal information.
Here are some tips on how to avoid phishing emails as a public school employee:
Be suspicious of emails that you weren't expecting. If you receive an email from a company or organization that you do business with, but the email is asking for personal information that you didn't request, be suspicious.
Don't click on links in emails. If you're not sure whether a link is legitimate, hover your mouse over the link to see the actual URL. If the URL doesn't match the website of the company that the email is supposedly from, don't click on it.
Be wary of attachments in emails. If you're not sure whether an attachment is safe, don't open it. Contact the sender using another method besides email to see if they sent the attachment.
Check the sender's email address. Phishing emails often come from addresses that look similar to the addresses of legitimate companies. However, if you look closely, you'll often be able to spot a difference. For example, the email address might be missing a letter or have a different domain name.
Use a spam filter. A spam filter can help to block phishing emails from reaching your inbox.
Be aware of the latest phishing scams. Phishing scammers are constantly coming up with new ways to trick people. Stay informed about the latest phishing scams by reading security blogs and articles.
In addition to these general tips, there are a few specific things that public school employees can do to protect themselves from phishing attacks:
Be aware of the types of information that scammers are typically targeting. This includes but is not limited to: student records, financial data, and login credentials for school systems.
Be familiar with the security policies and procedures of your school district. These policies will likely outline how to identify and report phishing emails.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you're not sure whether an email is legitimate, you can always ask a colleague or your IT department for help.
By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from phishing scams and keep your personal information safe.
Here are some additional tips to help you avoid phishing emails as a public school employee:
Use two-factor authentication (2FA) on your online accounts. 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password when you log in.
Keep your software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect you from phishing attacks.
Be careful what information you share online. Don't share your personal information on social media or other websites unless you're sure that the site is secure.
By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from phishing scams and keep your personal information safe.