5:29 p.m., March 25, 2008--Information Technologies (IT) at UD advises campus computer users that a new e-mail phishing scheme is being circulated. The e-mail has a subject line that says, “*****Under Maintenance*****,” and is sent from UPGRADE TEAM.

IT-User Services advises recipients not to reply or provide any information and to delete the bogus e-mail.

Phishing is a term used by hackers who imitate legitimate companies and organizations in e-mails to entice users to share passwords, Social Security numbers, credit card or bank account numbers.

IT-User Services provides more detailed information on how to avoid being taken in by those phishing for confidential information at [www.udel.edu/security/phishing.html].

The IT-Help Center Web site at [www.udel.edu/help] includes the following statement: “UD will NEVER ask for information online to keep your account active.”

The Federal Trade Commission warns that victims of phishing can become victims of identity theft and offers tips on how to avoid it at [www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/index.html].

To keep abreast of computer security news and alerts, subscribe to the XML feed of one or more of the computer security e-newsletters listed on UD's “Security News and Alerts” Web page at [www.udel.edu/security/secnews.html].