Why this looks valid
- The email appears to be from a Vassar user, or a colleague from another institution.
Why this is a virus
- The attachment is a zip file, a common way to send compressed files with viruses
- There is not much information in the body of the email, including no specific salutation or greeting to the recipient.
- Grammar errors, spelling errors, and generic salutations and sign-offs are usually indicative of a suspicious email.
Additional notes
- A phone call to the alleged sender would quickly verify if this is a legitimate email. It only takes a few minutes to pick up the phone!
- Report it as spam to Google. Before deleting the message, make sure to click on “report spam”.
- A little paranoia goes a long way! Be suspicious of any email messages similar to this one. Unsolicited attachments in email are currently a popular way to spread malware and viruses.