Security Tip #1 - Protecting Your Email

As East Central ISD employees, we are all afforded access to a variety of confidential or sensitive data. This data, which may include personally identifiable information, pertains to students, parents, and/or employees. Below, please find the first of a series of steps you can take to model responsible data practices in line with our Responsible Use Agreement and District Policy.

Avoiding Email-based Attacks 

1. Be careful with email attachments. Don't just automatically double-click on the attachment someone has sent you. First ask yourself, "Is it reasonable that this person sent me an email attachment or link to someone place unrelated to ECISD work? Is the email abrupt or doesn't make sense? Does the file attachment have an EXE extension or the filename doesn't make sense?" If the answer to any of these questions is YES, stop, scan the file attachment with your antivirus/anti-malware program (e.g. AVG, Avast are two free ones for home use).
   Solution: If you click on an email attachment, and it appears to install or setup a program on your computer, contact the ECTO Helpdesk at 210-649-2343 for assistance.
   
2. Avoid phishing attacks. This is where a link appears in an email from a trusted colleague. You click on it and are prompted to enter your GoogleApps username and password; STOP! Do not enter this information.
   Solution: If you have entered your username and password into a web site, change your password immediately. If you don't know how, contact the EC Technology Operations Helpdesk at 210-649-2343.
   
3. Don't read spam messages; delete them un-opened. Most email providers (e.g. Gmail) have a way of marking messages as spam. And, sometimes, spam slips through those filters they've setup to catch unwanted email. That means, it's up to you. Some spam is obvious, others are more clever.Solution: Some spam emails encourage you to click on a link that features web-based malware that can infect Windows or Mac computers. Although the District has spam filters, no spam filter is 100% effective. As such, mark the email as spam and/or delete it.