Covid-19 Coronavirus and Cyber Security

COVID-19 Coronavirus and Cyber Security

There are cybersecurity aspects and personal precautions to consider in an emergency like the coronavirus outbreak:

Fake Donations

Entitles have already started to register domain names using the name "coronavirus." In past events, we have seen some of these domains being used for fake donation web sites. They may also be used for other less legitimate business purposes like selling overpriced supplies.

Malware

Malware authors are always looking for new ways to get people to open their attachment. In the past, we have seen malicious videos and other attachments being used to spread malware.

Phishing

Phishing email is the number one way to get people to open malicious attachments, go to malicious web sites, or to provide information to further an attacker’s goals.  Pause before you click.  If anything seems out of the ordinary or too good to be true, verify before you act.

Fake News

Fake news is not only used to influence elections. Sometimes it is done to attract more eyeballs to a YouTube channel or web site. Be careful who you trust, and don't let sensational news cause you to panic. Panic is not the right state to make sensible decisions.

Visit https://www.odu.edu/cybersecurity and be aware of a number of Safe Computing Practices on our information security awareness pages.

J. Douglas Streit, CISSP

CISO & Executive Director

IT Security and Planning

Old Dominion University

http://www.odu.edu/directory/people/j/jstreit

www.odu.edu/cybersecurity

Posted By: John Streit
Date: Sun Mar 08 17:28:40 EDT 2020