Tips for Avoiding Cybersecurity Attacks as COVID-19 Concerns Develop

As the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) situation continues to develop, these are standard precautions for avoiding cybersecurity attacks:

• Exercise caution in handling any email with a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment, or hyperlink.
• Be skeptical of emails from unfamiliar sources that trigger an emotional reaction.
• Pause before you click.  If anything seems out of the ordinary or too good to be true, verify before you act.
• Do not reveal sensitive information in email, instant messages, or texts.  Do not respond to solicitations for such information without verification.
• Always consider why someone wants your information and question whether the request is appropriate.
• Avoid clicking on links or download software found in unsolicited emails, instant messages, or texts.
• Avoid opening attachments in unsolicited emails. 
• Malware authors are always looking for ways to get people to open their attachments in emails or clicking on unsafe web links.  Sometimes, malicious videos and attachments are used to spread malware. 
• Always verify the source of the information.
• Fraud and scams prey on fear.  Criminals may disguise themselves as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or World Health Organization (WHO) representatives by providing documents claiming to contain information on how to protect yourself from the disease.
• Do not let sensational news cause you to panic.  Sometimes, fake news is used to attract more visits to web sites or specific YouTube videos.  Fake news purpose is to stir panic and cause you to make decisions quickly.
• Be wary of social media pleas.  Verify a charity’s authenticity before making donations.
• Use trusted and legitimate sources for up-to-date, fact-based information about Coronavirus.