How to protect yourself against Covid-19 online scams

It has been two years and Covid-19 is still here. Although the Covid-19 situation around the world is much better compared to the last year, it is far from over.

We don’t need to live in fear, but it is important to follow Covid-19 protocols.

However, as the world tackles the COVID-19 pandemic, criminals are taking advantage of people’s fear. Situations like COVID-19 can make people more vulnerable to scams, and therefore more attractive to scammers.

The government had also warned against a large-scale cyber attack against individuals and businesses, where attackers used COVID-19 as bait to steal personal and financial information.

The potential phishing attacks could impersonate government agencies, departments and trade bodies that have been tasked to oversee the disbursement of government fiscal aid.

From the initial testing and hospitalizations scams to vaccination scams, cyber fraudsters are improvising year by year.

Here is how you can protect yourself against Covid-19 scams

• Beware of fake websites claiming to detect viruses or infected people’s locations as they are designed to steal sensitive data.
• Be wary of any emails, text messages, social media communications, or phone calls you receive that promise payments.
• Emails with links to fake web-login screens designed to steal employee credentials, such as your password or other login information. If you work for an organization, ask your IT department whether their systems are checking senders’ identities
• Don’t provide your personal information in response to any online requests and avoid clicking on unknown links.
• Phone apps that claim to detect, or track Covid-19 are designed to load ransomware on phones.
• Avoid disinformation with multiple sources and make it a point to get information from trusted, news sources and take the time to double-check any news related to Covid-19.
• Offers to purchase COVID-19 vaccination cards are scams as valid proof of COVID-19 vaccination can only be provided to individuals by legitimate providers administering vaccines.
• Do not post photos of COVID-19 vaccination cards on social media as it includes your date of birth, health care details or other personally identifiable information which can be used to steal your identity.
• Beware of COVID-19 survey scams and do not give your personal identity to anyone.