Email scammers are exploiting the devastation of Hurricane
Sandy with fake donation requests and offers to make money.
Internet security company Symantec is urging email users to
be cautious of spam messages that tug at the heartstrings in
the wake of the superstorm, which claimed dozens of lives as
it swept through the Caribbean and the eastern coast of the
United States.
It said typical spam attacks like offers of free gift cards,
loans and chances to make money were targeting the disaster,
with email headlines using words like hurricane, sandy,
storm, coast and superstorm.
"Spammers taking advantage of disasters is nothing new.
Symantec anticipates that fake news, photos, Nigerian scams,
phishing campaigns, and malicious video link attacks will be
seen more frequently in the coming weeks."
Symantec said internet users should reach out to storm
victims through legitimate and secure channels, rather than
donating money or buying products through wire transfer
services or other untraceable methods of payment.
They should also type website addresses directly into their
internet browser, rather than clicking on links or videos in
emails.
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