Dear Colleagues,

Cybercriminals are exploiting concerns over the global pandemic to lure victims into providing confidential data, cheat people out of their money, and download viruses. It is very important to beware of anyone claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), or other related organizations. Be especially aware of scams asking for donations or promoting vaccinations – remember, there are no vaccinations for the Coronavirus at this time.

Update: As of October, 2020, there has been a 350% rise in phishing activity and the creation of more than 30,000 suspicious Coronavirus websites. Now would be a great time to review common indicators of a phishing attempt.

For up-to-date information regarding the Coronavirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

If you have any questions regarding this advisory, please feel free to email the Office of Information Security.