submitted by krajewsk@augsburg.edu
Hackers and cybercriminals often use current events as a basis for their attacks. Unfortunately, they are now leveraging the hype and fear around the Covid-19 pandemic to spread malware (malicious software), and steal passwords and data. Be on the lookout for Covid-19-related scams in emails, text messages, phone calls and on social media. The following tips can help protect you from these scams and attacks:
== When in doubt, throw it out. ==
o Avoid suspicious links and attachments in emails, tweets, posts, news stories and online advertising. Delete suspicious emails and/or click the spam button, as appropriate.
== Think before you act. ==
o Be wary of communications that implore you to act immediately, offer something that sounds too good to be true, or ask for personal information. “Special” offers claiming a coronavirus cure or offering free or low cost health insurance may be fraudulent.
o Only open files or attachments from trusted and expected sources. Malicious Covid-19 related documents and infection maps have already been used to compromise systems and spread malware.
o Verify a sender’s email address before clicking on email links or replying.
o Hover over links to see the real destination
== Use trusted sources. ==
o Stick to legitimate, trusted government websites or news sources for up-to-date, fact-based information about COVID-19.
– https://inside.augsburg.edu/outbreak-planning/
– https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html
– https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
– https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
o Disinformation campaigns can spread discord, manipulate the public conversation, influence policy development, and/or disrupt markets.
o Covid-19 themed websites (website names that contain “corona,” “covid19”, or something similar) are 50% more likely to be malicious than other sites.
