Phishing Awareness Email Campaign

News

UW System is relaunching its system-wide phishing awareness program. This program started in April 2021 in which simulated phishing messages were sent to all faculty and staff across UW System. Simulated phishing messages will be sent periodically throughout the year, please use the information below to better understand phishing and what to look for.

Phishing is an email message sent by scammers to trick you into revealing personal information that can be used to commit fraud. It’s important you carefully read through your emails and the action they may be asking you to do before responding or clicking anything. Here are some warning signs to look for:

  • Spelling and grammar mistakes
  • Urgent language prompting immediate action
  • Request for confidential information
  • Encourages you to use an unfamiliar link
If an email seems suspicious, do not click any links or reply with personal information. Here are two actions you can take:
  • Anytime you come across a phishing message, it is important to report it. Please use our step-by-step instructions to guide you.
  • Suspicious emails should also be forwarded to abuse@uwm.edu so UWM’s Office of Information Security can further investigate.
If a faculty or staff member is “phished” (replies to the email or clicks a fraudulent link included in the email) three times within a calendar year, they will have an additional phishing awareness training required by UW System that must be completed within 30 days. Communication on the training will be sent directly to impacted faculty and staff.
Here is an example of what to expect to see if you interact with one of these simulated phishing emails

UW System "You have been phished email"

More information on phishing, as well as other cybersecurity topics, can be found on our website: uwm.edu/cybersecurity. If you have any other questions about this topic, please contact the UWM Help Desk.