Whenever huge events happen in the world, the dregs of society come out in full force — and the coronavirus outbreak is no different. Cybercriminals have been taking advantage of unsuspecting victims with tons of scams. Tap or click here to see a list of coronavirus scams out to get you. Unfortunately, we’re only at the beginning of these obnoxious attacks. Now, people looking for important information online could have their devices infected with malware if they visit the wrong sites.
Cybercriminals increasing coronavirus attacks
Like most people worried about the coronavirus pandemic, you’ve probably done some research online to find out how to protect yourself. Health officials are saying the best thing you can do is regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Also, you need to avoid sick people, stay at home if you’re feeling ill and keep your surroundings as clean as possible. Properly cleaning your phone and other devices are recommended, too. Tap or click here for the best ways to disinfect your phone. Avoiding public places with confirmed cases of COVID-19 is also at the top of the list of things to do. But how do you know where the disease is located? Some official websites from governments and world-renown health organizations have interactive maps that track coronavirus cases and keep real-time stats. But here’s the problem: Hackers are spoofing these maps so they can infect your device with malware. A researcher at Reason Labs made the discovery this week and said hackers are using spoofed sites to steal information like online account usernames, passwords, credit/debit card information and other sensitive data found on victim’s devices. Here’s how it works: A victim visits a spoofed site looking for coronavirus information and is prompted to download an application that promises up-to-the-minute data. The map looks like an official coronavirus tracker but it’s not. Instead, the map is loaded with malicious code that gets installed on your device and goes to work behind the scenes to rip you off. Currently, the malware only impacts Windows machines but a new version that will attack others is believed to be in the works.
How to find safe coronavirus information
With so many security threats out there, you need to stick with trusted sites when looking for coronavirus information. One trusted organization is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can find tons of helpful information on the CDC site, but make sure you’re going to the official one, not a spoofed website. The best way to get to the CDC site is to type the address directly into your browser. Type in cdc.gov. You can also tap or click here to visit the official CDC site. Another place for great intel is the World Health Organization (WHO). Again, make sure to type the official web address directly into your browser so you know you’re going to the right site — it’s who.int. Or, tap or click here to visit the WHO website.
Best online map to track coronavirus COVID-19
If you want to track the spreading of COVID-19, there is an online map that’s safe to use. It’s a digital map from Johns Hopkins University. It lists all of the confirmed cases, as well as the current rate of progression and fatalities. As of now, the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. is steadily growing, so you’ll want to keep an eye on it as time goes by. Tap or click here to see the live map and bookmark the page if you want to stay up to date. Coronavirus is a huge deal and we’ll be staying on top of further developments. The best way to stay in the know is to sign up for Kim’s free Alerts newsletter. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, advice, or health objectives.
