Washington State University(WSU) users are asked to be aware of the phishing email scam message below and others like it. The phishing emails, which claim their WSU Network ID's passwords will expire, is a fake and a phishing scam. The fake email messages have links in them that go to a phishing website that steals their WSU account credentials (user names and passwords).
Once cyber criminals have stolen the WSU account credentials, they will hijack the accounts and use them fraudulently.
A Sample of the WSU Phishing Email
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2017 10:06 AM
Subject: Network ID Notification
To: Network.NID@wsu.edu
Dear Student,
You are receiving this message because your WSU Network ID (NID) password will expire soon. You have to reactivate your account before the current one expires. Your WSU NID is necessary to access many online WSU services, such as email, myWSU, WSU Wireless, and WSU ResNet. As per information security best practice, WSU requires NID passwords to be reactivated on a regular base. To avoid any inconvenience or interruption in service, please update your account now at
After your successful authentication by using the previous link, your access will be restored automatically and you will be redirected to WSU Services homepage. If you are unable to log in, please contact CougTech (cougtech @wsu.edu or 509-335-HELP) for immediate assistance. We apologize for any inconveniences this may have caused.
Thank you,
Information Technology Services
Washington State University
Washington State University (WSU) users who have already been tricked by the phishing email scam, are asked to contact the Washington State University's I.T department for help.
Washington State University (WSU) email users should not click on a link to sign into their accounts, even if the email message appears to have been sent from a legitimate email address. It is recommended that they go directly to www.wsu.edu, click on “Email Login” or “myWSU,” and sign-in from there. Once they have signed into their accounts, they will be able to change their passwords, receive notifications if there is any change to their accounts, or if there is something that needs to be done to their accounts. Or, they can report suspicious email messages to their I.T department.
Signing in from www.wsu.edu is the most effective way Washington State University users can protect themselves against phishing scams and not become victims of cyber crimes.