Coronavirus and phishing: Protecting yourself from virtual threats

In times of crisis there is a lot of information circulating around that attracts criminals looking to take advantage thru the practice of virtual scams called phishing. Some scams, sent mainly by e-mail, SMS or Whatsapp, have similar characteristics: they promise a supposed benefit and try directing the user to access a malicious link.

Phishing is the act of manipulating people to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, identity card info, credit card details or even money. Phishing usually happens through emails, links or fake websites.

• Do not click on links contained in messages or posts on social media coming from unknown people or organizations.
• Always check the destination address and when in doubt, do not click on links and do not run files.​
• Be suspicious of messages with appeal emotionally to you or that offer gifts.
• BLook for reliable sources, such as Vale’s official communication channels, the Ministry of Health, and newspapers that can confirm information.
• ​​Check if the e-mail contains links to malicious codes. You can verify the destination of a link by positioning your mouse over it and analyzing the displayed address.