Haryana police cautions people against phishing e-mails amid COVID crisis

Haryana police have cautioned citizens to be beware of phishing e-mails received from unkwn sources, saying y could be cyber criminals who impersonate mselves as authorities to take vant of COVID-19 situation to cheat or defraud people.

Cautioning people to be alert with such cyber criminals, ditional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Navdeep Singh Virk said situation caused by spre of coronavirus h also resulted in cyber criminals becoming active.

cyber criminal gangs are exploiting given situation and uncertainty generated by COVID-19 pandemic to target individuals and businesses, Virk said.

To persue users to disclose personal information, such scamsters could impersonate authorities that have been tasked to oversee government assistance for COVID-19 treatment, he said in a statement here on Monday.

Explaining modus operandi, ditional DGP said that cyber attackers may send phishing e-mails to targets using spoofed dresses or similar ones appearing to have been sent from authorities responsible for dispensing government funded COVID-19 support initiatives.

“n y inform target about mandatory testing orders by government and prompt m to register for testing by ing on a malicious link. As soon as one s, y steal important and personal data of citizens,” he said.

Virk also outlined a series of steps for cyber security and ded that users must avoid downloing unverified e-mail attachments or ing fake links especially in relation to health information or having me of COVID-19.

“In dition, people should also refrain from ing on any suspicious links which promise reimbursement of COVID-19 treatment. se are phishing messs and are t sent by government authorities responsible for dispensing government funded COVID-19 support,” he ded.

(Photo credit for representation: PTI)