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Beware of Online Scams and Security Risks from Hurricane Katrina
The loss of life and destruction of property wrought by Hurricane
Katrina has been utterly devastating. Unfortunately, now there is
another aftereffect to worry about: online criminals are already
taking advantage of generous individuals who are looking to donate
online to disaster relief efforts. The FBI is currently investigating
hundreds of Web sites posing as online charities to lure in potential
donors and obtain their financial information. In addition, there
are reports of phony e-mails from fake charities being used to spread
worms and viruses.
In an effort to help prevent online exploitation of Hurricane Katrina
and help ensure that donations get to the people in need, The National
Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), offers the following tips to help
consumers avoid becoming a victim of an online relief scam or security
attack.
- Do not respond to any unsolicited SPAM/incoming e-mails about
the hurricane
- Be skeptical of individuals claiming to be surviving victims
asking for money to be placed in bank accounts
- To ensure that contributions to U.S.-based non-profit organizations
are used for intended purposes, go directly to the Web sites of
recognized charities and aid organizations, as opposed to following
a link to another site
- Verify the legitimacy of non-profit organizations by consulting
trusted Internet-based resources (such as the Network for Good
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency) which may assist
in confirming the existence of the organization as well as its
non-profit status
- Don't open e-mail attachments that claim to contain pictures
of disaster areas, as the files may contain viruses. Only open
attachments from known senders.
In addition to the above tips, the NCSA offers expert commentary
to media outlets working on stories related to online exploitation
of Hurricane Katrina. To arrange an interview with Ron Teixeira,
Executive Director of the NCSA, please call Margaret Mathis at Porter
Novelli, 415/975-3322 or contact via e-mail at Margaret.mathis@porternovelli.com.
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