Following an email security breach in early 2022 at Sacred Heart College Kyneton, email scammers are attempting phishing attacks on school community members.

Email is an essential part of the College’s everyday communications with Parents, students, and the wider community. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most common methods that hackers use to attempt to gain access to sensitive information. More than 90% of data breaches start with a phishing attack. Phishing uses fraudulent email messages designed to impersonate a legitimate person or organization. They attempt to trick the recipient into downloading harmful attachments or divulging sensitive information, including passwords, bank account numbers, and social security numbers.

Phishing scams typically attempt to take advantage of you by:

• Delivering file attachments that can infect your computer with harmful software
• Enticing you to click on links to websites that infect your computer with harmful software
• Tricking you into sharing your username and password so hackers can gain access to your network or other sites

Several school community members have experienced phishing scams masquerading as a continuation of conversations had with the College prior to May 2022. The phishing attacks claim to be from the school but will not be using school email addresses.

PLEASE DO NOT ENGAGE WITH SUSPECT EMAILS.

Ensuring you understand and practice good cyber security is the best way to combat cyber threats. The Australian Government’s Australian Cyber Security Centre has information about common online security risks, with simple advice on what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/threats/phishing

https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/individuals-and-families/threats