URL redirection feature to enhance information security on campus
Upon the recommendation of the Information Security Committee, Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert has directed Information Technology Services to implement "URL redirection" for incoming email originating outside of Mississippi State. It will be turned on Monday [Nov. 24].
This feature will strengthen the university's information security posture by helping reduce the likelihood that students, faculty and staff will become victims of email-borne phishing and hacking attempts.
URL redirection is a new feature of MSU's antispam system, StopSpam. When URL redirection is enabled, as StopSpam scans incoming email for spam, it also scans for embedded URLs or links to websites. Any URL found is checked against a database of malicious websites known or suspected to be used by phishers and hackers. If a match is found, the embedded URL is changed, or redirected, so that clicking on the link will result in one of two actions:
1. If the URL is known to be that of a malicious website, access to the site is blocked and the user is presented with an explanatory message and instructions to contact the ITS Help Desk if the blockage is believed to be in error.
2. If the URL is only suspected to be that of a malicious website, the user is redirected to an intermediate MSU webpage where he/she is alerted to the potential risk and given the option of:
-- Closing the browser and canceling the operation.
-- Continuing on to the suspect website.
The database of malicious website addresses employed by the URL redirection feature is continuously updated so that new malicious websites are included as they are discovered on the Internet.
If you have questions or need more information, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 662-325-0631 or toll free at 888-398-6394.
