These are targeted and simple forms of phishing emails designed to get victims to click on a link that contains malicious content or steals your credentials.
Tips if Something Seems Off:
Double-check the email address before responding
Look to make sure the email address is correct. In Gmail hover your mouse over the sender name for the email to display. On a mobile phone or a touchscreen, press and hold the link (don't tap!) to reveal the actual URL. (Look in the bottom left corner of the browser window.) Don't click on a link unless it goes to a URL you trust.
Follow up with the sender separately
If you didn’t expect it, reject it. Or follow-up with the individual directly in a separate email or call/text to confirm.
Report and/or flag it
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Open the message
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To the right of 'Reply' arrow
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Select 'More' (typically denoted with three vertical dots)
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Then 'Report phishing'
If you are unable to log into bMail, forward the message to phishing@berkeley.edu For more information visit https://security.berkeley.edu/resources/phishing
Examples of these types of attacks include:
Original Message:
From: security@berkeley.edu <security@berkeley.edu>
Date: Mon, May 24, 2021 at 12:52 PM
Subject: UPDATE REQUIRED ON mbrasil@berkeley.edu
To: <recipient@berkeley.edu>
Outgoing Mail Error
Due to server error, 6 new mails you sent from recipient@berkeley.edu are stucked in berkeley.edu
Release below to re-send all stuck emails to the destination boxes.
Release Emails
<hxxps://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/bet2604ver.appspot.com/o/bet2604ver%2Findex2bat904rff27dcf22a2ea9163406004.html?alt=media&token=e70fe211-f84a-4ae7-a4d0-c9376ee4cf57#mbrasil@berkeley.edu>
This is a mandatory berkeley.edu webmail service sent to recipient@berkeley.edu
From: "security@berkeley.edu"
Date: Mon, May 24, 2021 at 8:16 PM
Subject: UPDATE REQUIRED ON user@berkeley.edu
To: <user@berkeley.edu>
Outgoing Mail Error
Due to server error, 6 new mails you sent from user@berkeley.edu are
stucked in berkeley.edu
Release below to re-send all stuck emails to the destination boxes.
Release Emails
<hxxps://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/bet2604ver.appspot.com/o/bet2604ver%2Findex2baxxxxxxx>
This is a mandatory berkeley.edu webmail service sent to
user@berkeley.edu