Report An Incident

Report a Security Incident

If you observe or suspect an IT security incident you should immediately report it.

What should I report?

Examples of IT security incidents that should be reported include:

• Unauthorized access to a computer or account
  • Unauthorized attempts to access, i.e. phishing e-mails
• Compromises of university data
• Use of a university IT resource for harassment, annoyance, intimidation, etc.
• Violations of university IT policies

How should I report an incident?

• Report phishing emails to phishing@longwood.edu
• Report spam emails to infosec@longwood.edu
• Call User Support Services at (434) 395-4357 or email helpdesk@longwood.edu

Please note: For incidents involving threats to health or safety or the theft or vandalism of computers or computing devices, contact Campus Police at (434) 395-2091.

What information should I provide?

Include a complete description of what you have observed or why you suspect an incident.

Also provide:

• Your contact information (name, phone number, e-mail address, department).
• Time and location of the incident.
• If your report involves a web page, include the complete URL (web address) and describe the problem.
• If your report involves e-mail, forward the message in a way that keeps the header and routing information intact. This information can be very important when tracing an e-mail that contains phishing, spam or malware (such as viruses). Follow these instructions to forward the message with header and routing information: 
  • In Outlook for Windows, press Ctrl + Alt + F to forward the message as an attachment
  • In Outlook 2011 or 2016 for the Mac:
    1. Do not open the email message.
    2. Instead, push the Control key and click the e-mail message.
    3. Select View Source.
    4. Select and copy all information.
    5. Close the View Source window.
    6. Open the e-mail message.
    7. Select forward.
    8. Paste all information in the body of the e-mail message.
    9. Send the message.
  • In OWA: 
    1. Open the e-mail message.
    2. Click on the ellipsis (the 3 dots) to the right of "Forward" to open a drop-down menu.
    3. Click "View Message Details."
    4. Select all the text and copy it. 
    5. Close the Message Details window.
    6. Click on the forward icon of your message.
    7. Paste the copied text at the beginning of the message. 
    8. Send the message.
  • In Live Mail:
    1. Open the e-mail message.
    2. Click on the down arrow beside Reply All in the upper right-hand corner.
    3. Select "View message details."
    4. Select all the text and copy it.
    5. Close the Message Details window.
    6. Click on the forward icon of your message.
    7. Paste the copied text at the beginning of the message.
    8. Send the message.

Learn More

• Computer Security Incidents (pps)
• Computer Incident Response: What Should I Do? (pdf)