SUBJECT: Email Virus Spreading - Please Read Below Information

Computer security continues to be an important issue for all of us at UC San Diego. New malware comes out every day and recently, a new email worm began spreading that has a significant potential to steal your sensitive information.

Please don't open unexpected email attachments or follow links you are not positive are legitimate even when they appear to come from a known sender's email address. Attackers regularly manipulate the appearance of links in emails and create very convincing forgeries of websites to appear to be legitimate. It is always best to visit the main page of any site by typing it directly into your browser rather than using an emailed link. But remember, even directly entered sites with typos can lead to malicious sites. To add credibility to malicious messages, it is a common tactic for malware to use contact lists, instant messaging and social networks to take advantage of personal familiarity. Even if a link with an attachment looks like it comes from someone you know, you should verify that it is expected.

Always confront email and web based solicitations for information with skepticism. When in doubt consult your local IT support to assure that a communication and/or request for information online is a legitimate request.

For more information on general computer security issues, preventing unauthorized access to your computer and protecting University data, we are encouraging everyone to take the online training course entitled "Computer Security Basics." The course is available from Blink's Enrollment Central at:

http://www.blink.ucsd.edu/ec/computersecurity

(Note that UC San Diego Single Sign-On is required.)

More information on computer security issues can be found at:

http:www.blink.ucsd.edu/go/security

If you have questions or need additional information please contact the Security Team at: security@ucsd.edu.

Charlotte Klock Interim Chief Security & Privacy Officer Administrative Computing & Telecommunications