While the Coronavirus pandemic is creating new challenges, there is one group using this time as an opportunity to further disrupt our personal and professional lives – cybercriminals.
Cyber Awareness During COVID-19
Several major attacks and numerous cyber scams have been well documented – and we all need to be on high alert. One attack involved hackers mimicking the globally-recognized Johns Hopkins interactive COVID-19 map website to spread malware. Even the ACR and State Chapters have been used in a phishing scam soliciting the purchase of gift cards to help with the COVID-19 response.
We want to ensure you have the most recent guidance to help ensure we do not fall victim to these attacks.
- United States Secret Service: https://www.secretservice.gov/data/press/releases/2020/20-MAR/Secret_Service_Coronavirus_Phishing_Alert.pdf.
- Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2020/03/06/defending-against-covid-19-cyber-scams
- Consumer Reports: https://www.consumerreports.org/phishing-vishing/how-to-avoid-coronavirus-phishing-scams/
Please be extra vigilant and incorporate these best practices into your daily routine:
- Practice good cyber hygiene including slowing down to help recognize red flags.
- Consider using a “zero trust” approach in your daily routine. Think twice before you click or respond to emails and verify that requests are legitimate, especially financial transactions.
- Only use trusted sources to locate current information about COVID-19.
- Report suspicious activity to the appropriate individuals.
