Overview
Quarantine emails are messages that are flagged and not delivered to the recipient by Ohio University email security system due to suspicious content, potential spam, or security threats such as malware or phishing attempts.
Why Do Emails Get Quarantined?
Emails can be quarantined for various reasons, including:
- Suspicious Attachments: Emails containing attachments that appear to be potentially dangerous (e.g., executable files, scripts).
- Phishing Attempts: Emails that impersonate trusted sources to steal personal information or credentials.
- Spam: Mass unsolicited emails often containing irrelevant or promotional content.
- Unusual Sender Behavior: Emails coming from senders with suspicious activity or unknown sources.
- Content Filters: Emails with certain keywords or patterns (e.g., "free offer," "click now") that trigger security filters.
- Malware Detection: Emails detected as containing malicious software or links.
Managing Quarantine Emails
Report False Positives: If you are expecting an email or you frequently notice legitimate emails not arriving in your inbox, please submit a ticket at help.ohio.edu for assistance and troubleshooting.
Best Practices for Handling Suspicious Emails
- Always Be Cautious: If you are unsure about the legitimacy of an email, err on the side of caution. Avoid opening attachments or clicking links until you can confirm the sender's authenticity.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enable MFA for additional protection against email-based attacks.
- Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about the latest email-based threats (e.g., phishing techniques, spoofing) to better identify suspicious messages. Utilize OHIO's Phish Bowl to review known phishing attempts or to learn how to report a suspicious email.
Quarantining emails is an essential part of protecting the email system from threats like malware, phishing, and spam.
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