Issue Overview
Phishing scams use fraudulent emails to get users to reveal confidential information. Such emails usually look like they come from a legitimate organization such as Blackboard but contain links to illegitimate sites.
Blackboard has become aware of a mass phishing scam targeting customers using Blackboard Learn. To be clear, Blackboard Learn has not been hacked — these are emails sent directly from a spammer to emails it may have harvested by spidering the institution’s websites for email addresses.
Examples of Phishing Attempts
It is important to realize that the messages will vary.
EXAMPLE 1: “RECEIVED NEW MAIL”
| Purported Sender | Blackboard ITS |
| Email Subject | Received New Mail[School Board] |
| Content |
|
EXAMPLE 2: “NEW COURSE INFORMATION”
| Purported Sender | Blackboard Learn <notifications@blackboard.com> |
| Email Subject | New Course Information |
| Content | Good Morning,
An important course form has been posted to you through the Blackboard Learning System. Please sign in immediately to view the form. Click here to sign in <–Link to malicious website Thank you, Blackboard Learn. |
EXAMPLE 3: “BLACKBOARD LEARN: IMPORTANT NEW COURSE”
| Purported Sender | Blackboard Learn <email@blackboard.com> |
| Email Subject | Blackboard Learn : Important new course |
| Content | Dear Staffs/Students
Access to e-mail is about to expire, Please click on the link below to re-activate your account, please sign in to Blackboard system immediately. Click here to sign in to the Blackboard System <–Link to malicious website Thank You. |
EXAMPLE 4: “NOTICE: IMPORTANT NEW COURSES ALERT.”
| Purported Sender | Blackboard Learn <email@blackboard.com> |
| Email Subject | Blackboard Learn : Important new course |
| Content | Dear Member
Access to e-mail is about to expire, Please click on the link below to re-activate your account, please sign in to Blackboard system immediately. Click here to sign in to the Blackboard System <–Link to malicious website Thank You. |
Solution
- Notify your end users that these emails are phishing emails and to delete and disregard the emails.
- Do NOT go to the link in the email. Delete the email immediately.
- Please continue to send questionable messages to spam@jhu.edu. For immediate response, please call the Help Desk (410-516-HELP).