We're seeing another batch of phishing attacks.  (or should that be phishing expeditions?).  If you aren't familiar with the term 'phishing', it's the practice of trying to get you to give up personal, private information so it can be used for someone else's benefit, usually your detriment.  Phishers will usually try to get computer accounts and passwords and/or personal information such as bank account information or other personal information.

The more information you give to the phisher, the more they can do with it.  They could take over your email account, your bank account, or even get a new credit card or other account(s) tied to your name, address, driver license and social security number.  All-in-all, this is bad.

At the University, there is no reason for ANYBODY to have your password.  Nobody.  In the case of the email attached below, they're telling you that they need your information to verify that your account should remain active.  Realistically they shouldn't need any more information than "Yes, please keep my account active", as they already have your name and uniqname.  Also in the email below, they tell you they'll be assigning new passwords to accounts.  Why, then, would they need your current password?  They wouldn't.

Please remember to keep yourself safe by keeping your personal, private information safe.