It’s as despicable as it sounds. Hackers are using the COVID 19 pandemic as an opportunity to hack your home and business systems. While the world is coming together, neighbors assisting neighbors to help us all get through this coronavirus episode, there are some people looking to profit from this extremely contagious virus. What are they doing and how can you protect yourself?
The method most used is to send a phishing email purporting to inform you of the latest updates regarding the virus. The email will provide a link or an attachment and ask you to click on it.
It has become so commonplace that the CDC has issued an alert as follows:
CDC Alerts. Cybercriminals have sent phishing emails designed to look like they’re from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The email might falsely claim to link to a list of coronavirus cases in your area. “You are immediately advised to go through the cases above for safety hazard,” the text of one phishing email reads.
Other phishing emails are designed to look like they are from health organizations and ask the reader to click a link for a list of safety measures and precautions. Some hackers have even targeted large organizations and sent emails to all their employees asking them to click on a link and read through the new communicable disease policy to ensure they are in compliance.
As with any emails from an unreliable source, clicking a link or downloading an attachment could compromise your network and secure data. Now more than ever, whether working from home or not, we all must remain uber diligent about security. Remember, just because you are working in your casual clothes doesn’t mean you can afford to be casual about security.
If you have any questions about COVID-19 scams or phishing attempts, please do not hesitate to contact our team. We would love to chat and educate your team on the cybersecurity risks and threats during this unprecedented time.
Stay well!
Donald Nokes
President