Don’t Fall for Phishing Attacks on Trump’s Health
The new phishing is tricking unsuspecting victims with tempting links promising access to President Trump’s alleged medical records and top-secret information about COVID-19 treatments. In fact, these misleading links initiate downloads that infiltrate the computers of unsuspecting seekers for the truth of a new, dangerous form of malware.
Cybersecurity firm ProofPoint discovered the scam shortly after Trump’s diagnosis of COVID-19 became known. According to the firm’s report, clicking on a fake link infects your computer with the BazaLoader Trojan. BazaLoader is a first-level downloader that allows hackers to view files on a victim’s computer and install other malware remotely. It can even provide access to other devices on the same local network, putting your family, roommates, or colleagues at risk, even if they don’t download anything.
BazaLoader itself is a serious threat, but this scam uses a Trojan to spread a new, unknown type of malware. Researchers are studying everything this new malware can do.
This is the latest coronavirus and 2020 U.S. election-related phishing campaign in a year filled with similar scams , and it’s safe to say there will be more in the coming weeks.
To protect yourself, Proofpoint recommends using antivirus software and prudent data protection practices; In other words, don’t open messages from unknown addresses claiming “top secret” information, and definitely don’t click on random links or download unexpected attachments.
If you’re reading this post, chances are you already know these tips, but it’s also a good idea to inform your family and friends about these phishing attacks. We assume that the most discerning readers of Lifehacker are immune to these obvious gimmicks, but there are many people whose political fervor can outweigh their logic.
Not everyone pays attention to the latest malware threats, and we all know someone who will love a topic like Trump’s Top Secret Information on Coronavirus Treatment. Remind them that the 2020 dumpster fire left us all with questions, but clicking on a random link in an email, online ad, or posting on Facebook won’t give any answers. It just endangers everyone using the same network.
If you want to help, help them install antivirus software and test their security methods. We even have guidelines for simple video and screen sharing apps you can use to help your less tech-savvy friends and loved ones while maintaining social distance.