The coronavirus has already been quite a few months to dominate the lives of millions of people, forcing them to spend more time at home. At a time like this, we turn to a variety of tools to stay informed on the topic, even Google has its own website with information about it. Although it is also a time in which we can be exposed to numerous threats or scams online.
Google has been analyzing activity on this topic, and have been detected a series of new scams or phishing campaigns related to the coronavirus. They take advantage of that millions of people work from home now. In these weeks, we have detected 18 million emails containing phishing or malware to the day, in addition to 240 million spam messages. In this situation, the company gives a series of advice to users.
This is the bot official WhatsApp from the Government of Spain to be informed on the coronavirusIf you want to be informed from WhatsApp, the bot official of the Government of Spain makes it easier to have information verified.
How to detect scams related coronavirus: Google helps
Due to the increasing amount of scams or attempts of it that are seeing these weeks, Google leaves us with a series of tips to help users to reduce risks. Also identify when an e-mail which has come to us it is a scam, or phishing attempts to sneak malware on our device. If we identify this, we will get rid of many problems.
- It checks the address or phone number of who sends you the message: Many times posing as companies, Ngos or even governments, but the addresses are false. Being aware of this helps us to identify potential problems.
- Copy parts of the message: Many times, the email that was sent to you in a scam is the same for all users. Copy a portion of text and search it in Google, it can help us to check if there are more people who have received this message and have reported it as a scam or a suspect.
- It checks the addresses of the links: If the mail is entered links or addresses to web pages, it checks to see if you are truthful. There are times that such a direction is a lot like a real page, but it is not correct. In addition, if you do pass by an NGO and ask for donations, and you have an interest, go directly to your website, do not click on links in that mail to make a donation.
- Visit web pages of reliable: If the e-mail you’ve received are passed by the government or any authority that seeks to inform about the coronavirus, there are to be on alert. To be informed about the latest news in this regard, visit authoritative sites or use tools that are safe, as the bot WHO.
- Verification in two steps: Google also recommends adding an additional layer of security to your accounts, using two-step verification. We have already shown how to turn it in to the Google account, in order to have additional protection at a time like this.
Mobile payments: tips for miniminzar the spread of coronavirusIf you have to make purchases these days, the use of mobile payments implies a lower probability of infection of the coronavirus, following a few tips.
Other tips from Google
In addition to these tricks to detect scams through email, Google leaves us with the other councils to use all kinds of tools in the best possible way, avoiding this way that we are going to be victims of attacks at a time like the present, when the threats are multiplying.
Use work email only for work
Especially now that we work from home, it is important to keep the email personal and work separate. Do not mix its use is something which can prevent many security problems. The e-mail accounts professionals will have some additional safety features, which protect the information of the company. In addition, there are tools such as the Advanced Protection, ideal for companies and professionals.
Improves safety in the video
The use of applications and tools of video has exploded. Tools like Google Meet are very popular in businesses to have meetings, and that staff to keep in contact. The application has a number of security tools available, which come enabled by default. In addition, the company recommends you some additional options for a video more secure:
- Use verification so that only those who have an invitation to come into the meeting
- If you share an invitation to a meeting publicly, activate the option so that the organizer has the possibility to accept or reject participants prior to entering the meeting.
- If you receive an invitation that asks to install a new app, check the invitation because that can be an invitation false that seeks access to your device or account.
How to clean the cell so it doesn’t spread the coronavirusTo avoid contamination of coronavirus hygiene is essential, but… did you know that you could not serve anything if you don’t clean the mobile?
Install security patches when they are available
Updates are essential to keep our mobile devices, whether it’s the phone or the computer, protected at all times. For this reason, Google recommends that you take action when updates or security patches available, to keep the device updated and protected against threats.
Use a password manager
The trend is that users use the same passwords on their accounts, which causes that if someone discovers the key, you have access to many of their accounts. To keep your data protected, it is best to use a password manager. In Android we have one integrated in to the Google account and Chrome, that will make this more simple all the time.
Protect your Google account
Your Google account it can also be the object of attacks or threats in a time like the present. Luckily, there are a number of tools, options and ways to keep it protected in the best possible way. Don’t forget also that the company puts at our disposal functions such as a Security Checkup or Password Checkup that allow us to check the status of the security in the account and take appropriate action, to prevent someone to have access without permission to the account, something that is easy to check.
Google also recommended to have the verification in two steps activated on the account, to limit the chances of someone between. In addition, we have tools such as the Advanced Protection, of which I have spoken of before, giving additional options to protect the account.
The coronavirus arrives in the Play Store: new section of the appGoogle has created a new section on its Android app store, the Google Play Store, where it unifies all the information about the coronavirus.
Protects the little ones to navigate
Now that the schools are closed, children spend more time online. Google puts a large amount of educational material available to children, including through channels on YouTube that may be of help. You can also use tools such as Family Link, to prevent children from having access to inappropriate content, and parents can monitor what pages they access or what applications downloaded.
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