A spam attack launched against UC Davis email accounts today is requiring faculty, staff and students to use extra caution when using email.

The most important point: Don't click on the message or its attachment. Just delete them.

The attack, which surfaced this morning, takes the form of an email with a ZIP file attached. The messages have different subject lines--some simply say "important." If you click on the file, the virus it contains will open your address book and resend the same message to all of your contacts.

As a result, people are receiving messages that seem to come from people they know.

If you have clicked on the message, please contact your department's IT support as soon as possible. If you're not sure who to contact, please contact the IT Express Service Desk at 530-754-HELP (4357). If you work in the UC Davis Health System, please call its IT Operations Center at 916-734-HELP (4357).

Campus email filters and other anti-virus systems have reduced the damage. However, this spam attack is a "zero-day exploit," meaning it's the first time this particular instance has surfaced. An anti-virus company that works with UC Davis is creating a filter to block it.

Technologists throughout campus are working to counter the attack. Please check the campus status.ucdavis.edu for updates.

If you have questions, please contact the IT Express Service Desk at 530-754-HELP (4357), or if you work in the UC Davis Health System, please call 916-734-HELP (4357).