Compromised Account Settings

Quick Links: | What is a Compromised Account? | Changing your Password | Checking your Settings |

What is a Compromised Account? 

A compromised account status occurs when campus systems report suspicious login or email activity on your account and either Information Security or IT Support Services compromise and disable your account. A notification is sent to your personal email address and phone number listed in Account Center. 

Usually, an account becomes compromised after a phishing attack. This could be either because your credentials were submitted to a malicious form or your personal account data was hacked. Read our article about How to Identify Phishing Emails to know what to look out for and how to protect yourself. 

Before you proceed, please note that you must contact IT Support Services to enable your account before you can reset your password or attempt to sign in. 
 
You must be at a computer before calling IT Support Services; be prepared with your mobile device, username, and ID number. 

Once your account is enabled, you will need to immediately sit down and reset your Chico State password. If you are unable to reset your password during this process, your account will remain disabled until you are able to do so.

Changing Your Password

The first step in securing your account is changing your Chico State password. The IT Support Services technician will run through this process with you. Please follow the instructions on our Knowledge Base here for how to Reset Chico State Password (Portal Password).

NOTE: After changing your password through the Chico State Portal, it can take up to an hour before you are able to sign into Microsoft Outlook. If you are unable to sign in after changing your password, please wait and try again later. If the issue persists, call IT Support Services at 530-898-4357.

Checking Your Account Settings

When Information Security or IT Support Services disable your account, we instantly take the following security actions: 

  • Revoke current login sessions
  • Check and disable account forwarding
  • Check and remove email signatures
  • Check and remove inbox rules and sweep settings

Checking Direct Deposit Information

Faculty, Staff, and Student Staff

For employees, you should check the direct deposit information in Cal Employee Connect. You can find step-by-step instructions on the Human Resources website: Direct Deposit and Paychecks.

  1. Log into Cal Employee Connect. This account is separate from your Chico State account. If you need assistance, please contact Human Resources.
  2. Select Employee Services and choose the Direct Deposit option. 
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions for verifying your information. Make any necessary changes and click Submit.

Students

Once you can sign into your Chico State Portal, it is strongly recommended that you check your Direct Deposit information. In some cases, malicious attackers may change this information. You can find detailed information on our Knowledge Base for Managing your e-Refund Direct Deposit.

  1. Log into the Chico State Portal and access the Student Center. 
  2. In the left sidebar, scroll to Financials and click Enroll in e-Refund.
  3. Verify that the banking information displayed matches your banking information. Make any necessary changes and click Submit. 

Checking Email Settings

Once you can sign into your Chico State email, you will need to take the following steps: 

  1. Sign in to your Chico State email on a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) this cannot be done from a desktop app or a mobile app.
  2. Once you can view your inbox, click on the Settings Gear in the top right corner. 
  3. The following settings should be checked:
    • Under Mail > Compose and reply: Email Signature
      • Make sure that this is either blank or has your email signature
      • You can use the Email Signature Generator to create a new signature
    • Under Mail > Rules
      • Make sure this is either blank or only has rules you have created
    • Under Mail > Sweep
      • This should be blank
    • Under Mail > Junk Email
      • Check both Safe Senders and Blocked Senders 
    • Under Mail > Forwarding 

 Still need help? Contact IT Support Services for further assistance.
  
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