The email message below with the subject: "Administrative Notice," which claims that recipients' email accounts have be scheduled for an upgrade to a new Windows-based servers and enhanced online email interface inline with internet infrastructure maintenance, is a phishing scam. The fake or phishing email message was NOT sent by the recipients' email account administrator, but by cybercriminals, who are attempting to trick their potential victims into sending them their email account user names and passwords. Therefore, recipients of the fraudulent email message should delete it and not follow the instructions into it.
The Phishing "Scheduled Maintenance & Upgrade" Email Message
Subject: Administrative Notice
From: jdelapuente@pad .edu
Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2016 02:48:01 +0100
Help Desk
Scheduled Maintenance & Upgrade
Your account is in the process of being upgraded to a newest
Windows-based servers and an enhanced online email interface inline with internet infrastructure Maintenance. The new servers will provide better anti-spam and anti-virus functions, along with IMAP Support for mobile devices to enhance your usage.
To ensure that your account is not disrupted but active during and after this upgrade, you are required to kindly confirm your account by stating the details below:
* Domain\user name:
* Password:
This will prompt the upgrade of your account.
Failure to acknowledge the receipt of this notification, might result to a temporary deactivation of your account from our database. Your account shall remain active upon your confirmation of your login details.
During this maintenance window, there may be periods of interruption to email services. This will include sending and receiving email in Outlook, on webmail, and on mobile devices. Also, if you leave your Mailbox open during the maintenance period, you may be prompted to close and reopen.
We appreciate your patience as this maintenance is performed and we do apologize for any inconveniences caused.
Sincerely,
Customer Care Team
Recipients of the fake or phishing email message should change their email account password immediately, before it is hijacked and used fraudulently by cybercriminals.
Note: Online user should never send their passwords to anyone or share it with anyone.