BE AWARE…..COVID-19 Related CyberScams are on the rise

Posted on March 9, 2020 by TheGaetanoGroup

If you received an email from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization about the coronavirus outbreak, would you read it? Would you click on a link? Cybercriminals are counting on it.

It is important for you to know that hackers are already sending phishing emails and running disinformation campaigns that incorporate content about the coronavirus to better trick targets and add urgency to their schemes.

Since January 2020, there have been over 4,000 coronavirus-related internet domains registered globally. Coronavirus-related domains are 50% more likely to be malicious than other domains registered. Many of these domains will probably be used for phishing attempts.

While we are all interested in the latest updates regarding this crisis, remember that links supposed to go to news or educational sites may infect your computer. Verify first!

Security Best Practices:

Attackers attempt to exploit email every day, but you can reduce risk for everyone by following these security strategies:

Do not open suspicious emails – When in Doubt, Throw it Out!
Approach email links with caution.
Take care with email attachments.
Make sure you have setup multifactor authentication to protect your accounts from compromise.
Use strong passwords that are changed frequently and do not reuse passwords across different systems and platforms.
Beware of “special” offers. “An exclusive cure for Coronavirus for $150” is usually not a reliable or trustworthy purchase opportunity but most likely fraud.
Beware of lookalike domains, spelling errors in emails or websites, and unfamiliar email senders.

How Do I Get More Information?

County of San Mateo’s Information Services Department recommends the following resources:

Spam and Phishing: https://staysafeonline.org/stay-safe-online/online-safety-basics/spam-and-phishing/

Homeland Security: https://www.dhs.gov/topic/cybersecurity

FBI Internet: https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

FBI Cyber Crime: https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/cyber

Identity Theft: https://identitytheft.gov/

National Cyber Security Alliance: https://staysafeonline.org/