4:31 p.m., May 29, 2008--Information Technologies (IT) at UD advises campus computer users that a new e-mail phishing scam is being circulated, with this subject line: "Confirm Your UDEL Webmail Account."

The e-mail message begins, "To complete your UDEL Webmail account, you must reply to this email immediately and enter your password here (*********)" and it purports to have been sent by "The UDEL Webmail Account Team."

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

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.”

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 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].