Current Activity - Mississippi Flooding Disaster Email Scams, Fake Antivirus, and Phishing Attack Warning

[Current Activity <us-cert () us-cert gov>]

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US-CERT Current Activity

Mississippi Flooding Disaster Email Scams, Fake Antivirus, and Phishing Attack Warning

Original release date: May 16, 2011 at 10:15 am
Last revised: May 16, 2011 at 10:15 am


Users should be aware of potential email scams, fake antivirus, and
phishing attacks regarding the Mississippi flooding disaster. Email
scams may contain links or attachments that may direct users to
phishing or malicious websites. Fake antivirus attacks may come in the
form of pop-ups that flash security warnings and ask the user for
credit card information. Phishing emails and websites requesting
donations for bogus charitable organizations commonly appear after
these types of natural disasters.
US-CERT encourages users to take the following measures to protect
themselves:
  * Do not follow or open unsolicited web links or attachments in
    email messages.
    Maintain up-to-date antivirus software.
  * Review the Recognizing Fake Antivirus document for additional
    information on recognizing fake antivirus.
  * Refer to the Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing
    Attacks document for additional information on social engineering
    attacks.
  * Refer to the Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams (pdf) document
    for additional information on avoiding email scams.
  * Review the Federal Trade Commission's Charity Checklist.
  * Verify the legitimacy of the email by contacting the organization
    directly through a trusted contact number. Trusted contact
    information can be found on the Better Business Bureau National
    Charity Report Index.

US-CERT will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Relevant Url(s):
<http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-014.html>

<https://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST10-001.html>

<http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel01.shtm>

<http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/emailscams_0905.pdf>

<http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/>

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This entry is available at
http://www.us-cert.gov/current/index.html#mississippi_flooding_disaster_email_scams

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