Stay cyber secure: Scammers using Monkeypox emails to steal your information
At a glance (1 minute read):
- Cybercriminals are expoliting Monkeypox fears in new mailicious email scams.
- Like most scam emails, these messages usually have a sense of urgency and contain spelling and/or grammatical errors.
- Vigilance and extreme caution are your best defenses when reviewing potential threats.
Cybercriminals are using fears over Monkeypox to scam victims into clicking malicious links, giving them access to private information.
These emails typically come in from a trusted source, like the company you work for, with a subject line urging you to take action or read the email.
What scam Monkeypox emails look like
At first glance, the email may seem legitimate. It will contain information citing the Centre for Disease Control or other health authorities, urging best practices for hygiene during a pandemic.
But within the text, there will be links to external sites. These may come in the form of a waiver to sign, or “mandatory” online training to take.
If you click on one of these links, it will install harmful software on your device, giving cybercriminals access.
Be vigilant, protect yourself
You can prevent yourself from falling victim to this attack by:
- Keeping an eye out for a sense of urgency in an email. Scammers try to use fear to get you to click these malicious links.
- Closely reading any unexpected email, checking for poor grammar and spelling.
- Verifying any unexpected emails with a trusted source, like an administrator or manager.
- If you’re on a desktop or laptop, hovering your mouse over any link before clicking it. Make sure the address it links to is legitimate. Check the spelling carefully, and don’t click any links that don’t match the hover-over contents.
- Trust your gut – if an email seems suspicious it probably is.
