New from IT: Addition of a First Contact Safety Tip in Outlook

With email scams continuing to evolve in their sophistication, Information Techology recently implemented a feature known as a 'First Contact Safety Tip' for the WPUNJ email system. This will allow Outlook to display a brief message at the top any emails you receive from sending email addresses that you don't usually receive email from. The visual display of this tip should help with identifying emails where the sender may not be who they claim to be, such as in cases of impersonation email scams (read more about those scams at https://itwiki.wpunj.edu/index.php/SPAM#Impersonation_Emails_&_Gift_Card_Scams). 

Quick Summary

The first contact safety tip will display one of the following messages on some emails you receive:

'You don't often get email from (email address). Learn why this is important.'  - This may display when you are the only recipient on an email

'Some people who received this message don't often get email from (email address). Learn why this is important.'  - This may display on emails with multiple recipients.

The safety tip will be shown if it's the first time you (or another reciepient of on the email) has received email from the sending email address or if you don't often get email from that sender. 

More Detailed Information (for those interested)

The first contact safety tip will add an extra layer of security against potential impersonation email attacks. If you receive an email from a cybercriminal who is trying to impersonate someone you know by sending an email with that person's name as the sender's display name, you may see the name that is shown and not notice that the sending email address isn't actually the correct email address for that person. If you then reply to that email, you would then be communicating with a cybercriminal before you realize that it's part of an email scam, such as a gift card scam. 

Note that the first contact safety tip will display on an email where you don't regularly receive email from the sending email address, so it will be displayed on legitimate emails, but the warning will at least help you to verify the sending email address to ensure the message is safe.

If you require any assistance or have questions about the First Contact Safety tip or any emails you receive that may seem suspicious, please reach out to our Helpdesk team by creating a Helpdesk ticket at www.wpunj.edu/helpdesk or by calling (973) 720-4357.

Thank you.
Information Technology