It took the Information Systems Department for Howard County about 30 minutes to determine an e-mail requesting information from county employees was a phishing expedition.
Anyone with an e-mail account has experienced numerous spam messages offering money and vacations. All are seeking personal information that would not be requested through an e-mail by reputable companies, banks or government agencies.
The e-mail was received by a select number of employees on Oct. 29. The county’s Information Systems Department was notified and started to trace where the bogus message originated.
The message wanted the person’s e-mail address, user name, password, date of birth, contact address and telephone number, according to Terry Tribby, director of the Howard County Information Systems Department.
Jeremy Stevens, network administrator, said it was a valid e-mail address but one not used by the county for approximately 18 months.
“They phished our Web site,” Stevens said. “They harvested a select few e-mail accounts. It was not that sophisticated.”
The e-mail looked like it was sent by the county’s computer department.
Tribby said employees receiving the e-mail contacted the Information Systems Department, which found the request unusual because of the information being requested.
“I told them to never give out user names or passwords,” he said.
Stevens said the e-mail came from a gmail account through Google. He said the county contacted the Google abuse department and forwarded a copy to the Federal Trade Commission. The Howard County Sheriff Department also was contacted.
“All we know is it came from a Google account,” Stevens said. “If it had been sent locally, why did it have an old e-mail address?”
The Information Systems Department set up a fake account and replied to the original e-mail message, he said.
Tribby said the next morning the county discovered there were three log-ins to the account from someone’s computer.
The county was able to trace the e-mail back to where it came from and discovered it came from a Washington, D.C., account that had a block of addresses.
Stevens said the sheriff department contacted AS Technologies in Washington and found out the e-mail was sent from Nigeria. He said the Internet portal was based in a foreign country.
Tribby said the intruder would not have been able to lock up the county’s computer system but could have stolen someone’s identity and sent out e-mails as coming from county officials.
Stevens said most of the spam e-mails are filtered out by equipment the county has on the computer system.
Tribby said there is no local investigation because the e-mail originated out of the country.
“No company will ever ask for a user name or password through an e-mail,” he said. “You’re not going to win a million dollars or a trip to Hawaii. It’s always a scam.”
Larry Murrell, Howard County attorney, said the e-mail was handled by the IT department and investigated by the sheriff department.
“There was no criminal action to pursue,” he said.
• Ken de la Bastide is the Kokomo Tribune enterprise editor. He can be reached at 765-454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com
Local News
County thwarts e-mail scam
Bogus message sent from Nigeria
- Local News
-
-
Delphi retirees continue fight for pensions
A group of then-Delphi Corp. retirees saw a long road ahead of them when they banded in 2009 to keep hold of their full pensions and benefits.
-
Eastern moves ahead on wind turbine
A packed room of remonstrators Tuesday held little sway over the Eastern Howard Schools board, which voted unanimously to move ahead on a $2.75 million wind turbine project.
-
Board: discipline for accused doctor not strict enough
The Medical Licensing Board of Indiana has rejected a proposed resolution to a Russiaville doctor’s disciplinary case, directing the Indiana Attorney General’s Office to propose a more stringent set of requirements.
-
City to end agreement with Novia
City officials said Tuesday they’re planning to switch providers at the city’s employee health-care clinic this spring, ending a year-old relationship with Novia Health Care.
-
Eastern celebrates graduation rate improvement
The latest graduation rates prove all Howard County schools are offering a quality education, a local superintendent said.
That’s how Tracy Caddell, superintendent of the Eastern Howard School Corp., summed up the figures released Tuesday by the Indiana Department of Education.
-
Jail full of females
In late January, cell mates Monica Clark Davis and Christy Miller were awaiting disposition of their respective cases in the Howard County jail.
-
Eastern set for wind turbine meeting
GREENTOWN — Eastern Howard Schools superintendent Tracy Caddell said Monday the school board is considering alternate sites for a proposed wind turbine project, which would build a 287-foot-tall windmill to produce energy for the schools.
-
Chamber cancels cook-off
After an 11-year run, the annual chili cook-off in Kokomo has been canceled for this year.
-
Miami County GOP fails to appoint new trustee
PERU – Miami County commissioners will be forced to appoint a Perry Township trustee after the GOP’s county chairman exceeded the deadline to replace the vacated seat.
-
Students petition to keep daycare at IUK
A group of Indiana University Kokomo students is petitioning the university to reconsider shutting down an on-campus childcare center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
