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UK Information Technology Services (UK ITS) would like to inform students, faculty, and staff of a known scam that impersonates a Microsoft support page.

The scam appears after clicking a malicious link currently hosted on external websites that then directs the recipient to a fake Windows Defender Security Center page that urges calling a security helpline. See a below screenshot for an example of this scam.

Scam screenshot



Things to look for to detect a scam:

  • Sense of urgency
  • Incorrect grammar and/or spelling mistakes
  • Sender email address is not recognizable or does not match the sender name

Tactics that are especially common in pop-up scams:

  • Statements that you won something
  • Computer or mobile device scan
  • Exclusivity (e.g., secret access)

If you are unsure if an email is a scam, please do not click any unfamiliar links or call any unfamiliar phone numbers. To report a scam, please contact your department or college IT representative or ITS Customer Services at 859-218-HELP(4357) or go.uky.edu/techhelp.

 

Cybersecurity Tips & Tricks

See below for important things you need to know:

More information on types of attacks & tips to share on social media at its.uky.edu/cybersafe.