A spam email currently circulating the University of Tasmania’s webmail system is soliciting account information from unknowing students.

The email, which was received by a number of students on Saturday 1 May, claims that UTas webmail accounts will be deactivated unless validated by replying to the email with the student’s account details, including their username and password.

Disguised under the email address Admin@utas.edu.au, the email is classified as a ‘phishing scam’ which is defined as a criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information – such as usernames, passwords and credit card information – by masquerading as a trustworthy entity – in this case, UTas admin.

Many students are aware of the potential dangers of spamming and online scams; however, this particular scam could easily be mistaken for a ‘legitimate’ email due to the use of the ‘Admin@utas.edu.au’ address.

It is unclear what the motivations are for the spammers accessing the UTas webmail system, but UTas ICT security warns students to disregard the email (or similar emails requesting usernames/passwords or private details) immediately as the University administration does not request personal details from students.

If such details fall into the hands of scammers, there can be significant consequences, such as identity theft.

On the UTas IT website there is a statement in regards to the email;

“IT Resources advises all University members that this email is false and should be ignored. The University does not solicit account information via email, not do we require any person to submit their password/security details as part of normal account maintenance processes.”

The IT Resources have stated that despite an extensive firewall which prevents threats to webmail and internet security here at University, there is a small percentage of scams which find their way through the system.

“The UTas firewall protects students and members from approximately one million potentially harmful emails a day, but there are some that slip through,” an IT Resources spokesman said.

“Our advice if students do come across something suspicious, please notify us [IT Resources] so we can input the measures to prevent such things from occurring again.”

The spokesman said the firewall blocks around 98 per cent of potentially ‘dangerous’ emails but there are certain restrictions on the firewall in order to prevent legitimate emails from reaching UTas students’ inboxes.

IT Resources have been alerted to other phishing scams recently; in January there were reports of a spam email circulating the UTas system which purported to be from the Australian Taxation Office asking for financial details.

If any students have further questions about suspicious emails, they are advised to call the IT Service Desk on 1818. 

By Julius Ross