Easter Holiday Phishing Scams and Malware Campaigns

["US-CERT" <US-CERT () ncas us-cert gov>]

U.S. Department of Homeland Security US-CERT

National Cyber Awareness System:



Easter Holiday Phishing Scams and Malware Campaigns [ 
https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2017/04/11/Easter-Holiday-Phishing-Scams-and-Malware-Campaigns ] 
04/11/2017 10:35 AM EDT 
Original release date: April 11, 2017

As the Easter holiday approaches, US-CERT reminds users to stay aware of holiday scams and cyber campaigns, which may 
include:


  * unsolicited shipping notifications that may actually be scams by attackers to solicit personal information 
(phishing scams), 
  * electronic greeting cards that may contain malicious software (malware), 
  * requests for charitable contributions that may be phishing scams or solicitations from sources that are not real 
charities, and 
  * false advertisements for holiday accommodations or timeshares. 

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to use caution when reviewing unsolicited messages. Suggested preventive 
measures to protect against phishing scams and malware campaigns include:


  * Do not click web links in untrusted email messages. 
  * Refer to the Shopping Safely Online [ http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST07-001.html ] Tip. 
  * Use caution when opening email attachments. Check out the Using Caution with Email Attachments [ 
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-010.html ] Tip for more information on safely handling email attachments. 
  * Review the Federal Trade Commission's page on Charity Scams [ 
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0011-charity-scams ]. Use the links there to verify a charitys 
authenticity before you donate. 
  * Read the Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks [ http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-014.html ] Tip. 
  * Refer to the Holiday Traveling with Personal Internet-Enabled Devices [ http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST11-001 
]Tip for more information on protecting personal mobile devices. 
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This product is provided subject to this Notification [ http://www.us-cert.gov/privacy/notification ] and this Privacy 
& Use [ http://www.us-cert.gov/privacy/ ] policy.

________________________________________________________________________

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