In the aftermath of the devastation caused by severe weather in Moore, Okla., the support and generosity shown by the American people for those in need underscores our compassion and resilience as a nation. Unfortunately, cyber criminals and hackers often exploit tragedies and other high profile news stories, reminding us of the importance of staying safe online.
Following incidents such as this, cyber criminals may use phishing attacks to capitalize on the number of users interested in finding out more information about the event. Newly created websites and Twitter accounts may try to take advantage of those looking to contribute to fundraising efforts while others could target individuals interested in simply learning more about the incident.
Here are a few ways you can protect yourself from online scams and phishing techniques:
- Exercise caution when clicking on email links or interacting with social media accounts that claim to represent the best interests of those involved in this incident.
- Only donate money to known, credible fundraising charities.
- When searching for updates on the story, it is safest to go directly to trusted news sources rather than conducting general search engine queries.
If you suspect you have received a phishing email, please send it to the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) at phishing-report@us-cert.gov.
For more information on protecting yourself and your information online, visit www.dhs.gov/StopThinkConnect.