Job Offer or Cyber Trap? Princeton Battles 44% Spike in Phishing Emails

A fake email offering internships, supposedly sent by Princeton Dean Peter Bogucki, is the latest in a 44% surge in phishing attempts targeting students and staff. With scammers impersonating University departments, the Information Security Office has reported over 2,000 phishing emails since 2022, many using Princeton-style branding and urgent language like “internship,” “password,” and “account.”

To combat the rising threat, Princeton now auto-trashes suspected phishing emails, runs security training, and hosts the “Phish Bowl,” an archive of known scams. Still, officials warn that vigilance is key. “If something feels off, it probably is,” said Director Milan Stanic. For help or to report a phishing attempt, email: phishbowl@princeton.edu.
Sources.