Watch out for email scams during the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a massive shift in the number of employees who are working remotely. This provides a perfect opportunity for cybercriminals to carry out social-engineering scams.
Cybercriminals are sending emails that appear to be from a hospital, warning that you have been exposed to the virus through contact with a colleague, friend or family member. Attached to the email is what appears to be a pre-filled form you can download and take with you to the hospital. This attachment is actually a sophisticated piece of malware; the scammers are hoping the recipient’s panic and fear will make them act on the request before they have a chance to question the legitimacy of the email.
The university’s Information Technology Services department reminds you to stay vigilant:
- Think before you click; cybercriminals rely on their victims’ impulsive actions.
- Never download an attachment from an email you weren’t expecting. Even if the sender appears to be from a familiar organization, the email address could be malicious.
