It Looked Like a Normal Vendor Email. It Wasn't.

When A Fake Email Looks Legit: How to Spot Business Email Compromise

Not every scam looks like one. Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a new kind of phishing scam designed to impersonate a vendor you already trust, slip into a real email thread, and find the right moment to ask you to update a payment or banking detail. AI is only making it easier to impersonate real businesses, which makes BEC that much harder to catch.

To protect yourself from getting scammed, watch out for:

A request to change payment or banking information
A sender domain that's almost — but not quite — right
Unusual timing, like near a holiday or when key staff are out

If something feels off, verify independently using information you already have — never one from the email itself. And remember to navigate directly to Pitt's secure payment channels.

Learn How to Protect Yourself from BEC

Forgot Your Password? Getting Back In Just Got Easier

We've rolled out two updates to make logging in easier: Reset a forgotten password with a Duo Mobile authentication code (in addition to security questions), and see your password as you type it with a new show/hide toggle. These changes support the longer, stronger password requirements put into effect this year.

Your Website May Need a New Home

The University's Enterprise Web Infrastructure retires next year on Aug. 6, 2027, so any site hosted there will need to move before then. Replacement platforms include CampusPress, Pantheon, and OpenScholar, which offer different experiences depending on your needs. Moving means rebuilding, not relocating, so start early. Register for an information session or request a UCM consultation.

What's In Your Adobe Toolkit? A Quick Guide for Faculty and Staff

Need a flyer, a quick PDF edit, or something more polished than Microsoft 365? Adobe Express is free for faculty, staff, and students at software.pitt.edu — no purchase order required. Need the full Creative Cloud suite? Faculty can claim it for free on personal computers; staff can access it through a departmental purchase. Find out what's in your Adobe Toolkit.

PittNet Upgrades Are Here — Help Us Fine-Tune Coverage Areas

Pitt Digital added thousands of new PittNet Wi-Fi access points across the Pittsburgh campus this summer. As you get back into your routine this semester, please report any coverage gaps to the Technology Help Desk or call 412-624-HELP (4357) so we can quickly resolve any issues.

How We're Supporting the Next Generation of Cyber Professionals

This summer marked the 10th year of the Air Force Association CyberCamp at Pitt, a free, weeklong cybersecurity program for high school students that Pitt Digital helps organize alongside Pitt Cyber. More than 1,300 students have completed the camp since it launched, and this year's program expanded for the first time to include Pitt Greensburg. It's one small way Pitt Digital is helping close the nationwide shortage of cybersecurity talent.

Watch our video celebrating 10 years of CyberCamp.

Panther Bytes to Nibble On

Check out these bite-sized blogs about tech topics you should know.

LinkedIn Learning: Bite-Sized Courses with a Big Impact

All Pitt faculty and staff have access to the full range of LinkedIn Learning courses at no cost. Here are some of the newest and most popular courses on the platform.