Identity theft and email scams have become a huge problem in this country in recent years.  We’ve put together a list of safe practices to help you protect yourself from identity theft, email scams and potential viruses.  When you're done reviewing the list, take the SonicWALL Phishing and Spam IQ Quiz.

Do's

• Delete suspicious email without opening it.
• If the email contains an attachment, save it first so that it's scanned for a virus (don’t open it).
• Keep your virus signatures up-to-date.
• Beware of an email message or file attachment from someone you don't know or that seems suspicious.
• Use your Saint Michael's College email so that the filters will be applied. Our server is checking for and removing infected mail.
• Be alert to downloading files from the Web. Viruses may spread when files are being downloaded from the Web. If you're not expecting a file to download, you should not accept it.

Don'ts

• Don’t click on links in chats or in suspect email messages.
• Don’t use the AutoPreview or Preview Pane for incoming messages; using these views is the same as if you opened the email.
• Don’t open mail from an unknown sender.
• Never download, open an attachment or click on anything from an unknown source.
• Don’t open email from an unknown sender.
• Don't send your account name or password information to anyone.  IT and other trust-worthy organizations will never ask you for your password.
• You'll also find detailed information about identify theft at the FTC Identity Theft website.

Information Technology Helpdesk
802.654.2020 / ithelp@smcvt.edu