Compromised Account

Overview

When accounts are compromised, significant computing resources and sensitive institutional or personal data become vulnerable. Accounts that may appear to have limited access still hold value for hackers, even if they do not contain private information or valuable emails.

I think my account may have been compromised.

Steps to Take if Your Account is Compromised

• Immediately report the incident to the IT Help Desk.
• If possible, change your password:

• Do Not revert to the original password used during the time of compromise.
• Do Not select a password used across other sites.
• Do Not reuse your Blinn College password on external sites and services.

 Common Methods of Account Compromise

• Phishing:  Emails requesting account verification or upgrades that require logging into a webpage or providing your password are typically scams.
• Password Theft on Third-Party Sites:  Utilizing your Blinn College password on multiple sites, especially where your college email serves as your username, jeopardizes Blinn College resources. If those accounts are breached, your Blinn College account may be easily accessed.
• Password Sharing:  Sharing your password with friends, partners, or family could lead to it being mishandled.
• Malware:  Using an untrusted computer or one that is compromised by viruses or keyloggers presents significant risks.
• Unsecured Networks:  Logging into Blinn College services like myBlinn over an unsecured Wi-Fi network can result in account information theft.

• Weak Passwords:   Short and simplistic passwords can easily be predicted or subjected to brute-force attacks.

Account Monitoring

Regularly monitor your accounts for unusual activity. If you detect any suspicious behavior, capture screenshots and include them in your incident report.

For Outlook/Office 365 Users:

• Examine the Trash, Sent, and other mail folders for any unauthorized messages that were neither sent nor deleted by you.
• Review your Rules and eliminate any unfamiliar entries.

Report the Issue immediately for assistance from IT Security Services.

Need additional information or assistance? Call the IT Help Desk at 979-830-4357 (HELP) or contact the IT Help Desk Chat Line.