COVID-19: Look out for potential email scams.

Great news about a potential vaccine may result in an increase in email scams.

Just when everyone is at a breaking point with pandemic fatigue, Pfizer announces their COVID-19 vaccine results. Their trials have proven successful, and a vaccine could be on the market soon.
 
Exciting announcements like this become the ideal opportunity for cybercriminals to take advantage of the public. Digital platforms — including social media — are prime resources for exploitation.
 
Email scams may appear as emails with subject lines from Pfizer or the government. Be cautious of any possible communications that promise quick access to the vaccine (we are still a ways off from having it available to the public). Malicious emails could be masquerading as legitimate communications but be carrying malware or phishing. 
 
Phishing strategies are email scams that may include a call to action like having you enter information on a vaccine distribution list or giving a deposit for your vaccine dose. 
 
Expect to see more information and posts on social media as we get closer to the vaccine release.

Four ways to keep safe:

  1. The best way to stay safe is to not open emails from strangers or companies you haven’t interacted with before. 
  2. Be suspicious of any unsubscribed/unsolicited emails. As a rule, the government doesn’t send emails to citizens.  Pfizer will only send communications to people who subscribe to their email newsletters.
  3. Posts on social media should be verified and fact-checked before you share them or comment on them. In our current climate,
  4. Think before you react. Most phishing strategies play off your emotions. When talking to cyberattacks victims, they often recall not thinking before they clicked on a link or opened an email. misinformation is cybercriminals’ favorite tool. 

Finally, know that official websites are the best sources of information. Visit these sites to stay informed:

If, by chance, you download a virus or click on a malicious email (or even suspect you may have), contact Bit Perfection immediately. We’ll be happy to check out your computer.