U.S. Attorney warns public of Coronavirus email malware schemes

COLUMBUS, Ohio – U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers advises the public to be cautious about emails purporting to offer safety information about the coronavirus and containing a hyperlink. Many such emails contain malicious programming that can harm computers, access user’s personal information, and cause financial harm.

For example, emails might promise to:

    Tell you how to protect your friends from COVID-19 if you click a hyperlink

    Directly connect with you a clinical contact if you reply and pay within a certain timeframe

    Provide updated information from a health expert via a hyperlink

U.S. Attorney DeVillers reminds you to stay vigilant, think twice before clicking on links and only respond to emails in which you know the source.