As of now, we are bait for the Corona Virus as cases are rising day by day all over the world. During this circumstances, hackers are not even leaving the cause. They are sending phishing mails to the users pretending that they are from officials. Yes! That is why they are called hackers.

Source: Business standards

“The phishing campaign is expected to use malicious emails under the pretext of local authorities in charge of dispensing government-funded COVID-19 support initiatives. Such emails are designed to drive recipients towards fake websites where they are deceived into downloading malicious files or entering personal and financial information,” CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team)-In noted.

The advisory noted that the “malicious actors” are claiming to have 2 million individual/citizen email IDs and are planning to send an email with the subject line: free COVID-19 testing for all residents of Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Ahmedabad in a bid to coax users to disclose personal information.

CERT-In has asked users to encrypt and protect their sensitive documents to avoid potential leakage. It also urged people to use anti-virus tools, firewalls, and filtering services and asked them to report any unusual activity or attack immediately to CERT-In.

“Phishing campaign is expected to impersonate government agencies, departments and trade associations who have been tasked to oversee the disbursement of the government fiscal aid,” said CERT-In.

Preventive Measures:

1. Keep all your applications or software updated.
2. Do not download anything from suspicious sites. Use official websites for downloads.
3. Install antivirus in your devices and keep them updated!
4. Never share your passwords, card details or any private details with anyone.
5. Get yourself more educated about the attacks and how they work.
6. Do not respond to any suspicious mails or spam!!!
7. Government never asks for your bank details.

Get updated with the news and stay safe. We are always there to alert but protection should be from your side!

Stay safe even at Home!