Phishing is a cyber attack that uses electronic means to trick a user into sharing sensitive information. Traditionally, these attacks originated through email, but now can be delivered through social media, text messages, or other messaging services.

**Impact**



*   Approximately ⅓ of all data breaches involve Phishing.
*   41% of all attacks redirect users to phony login pages resulting in about $400 loss per account.
*   51% of all attacks have links that are actually malware resulting up to $2.5 million in losses.
*   8% of all attacks involve direct extortion causing up to $5,000 in damages per user.

**Recognition**

Attackers prey on peoples’ fears, interests, and inherent trust to accomplish these attacks. Here are some examples:

*   An email from your boss or business associate asking for you to take immediate action.
*   An entity offering financial assistance or promises of high paying jobs.
*   Charities or other organizations related to an ongoing crisis.
*   Emails containing links that are shortened or are misspelled.
*   Correspences from people you know from unusual channels. 
*   Links to documents that you did not request access to.

If you are unsure whether you are being phished its best to double check by calling the other party. If that is not possible Ask someone you trust if they think its’ fake. Under no circumstances should you interact with a suspected Phishing attempt until you can verify it is legitimate.

**I’ve Been Compromised What’s Next?**

If you do succumb to a phishing attack these are the steps to take:

*   Alert others in your company. Typically entire organizations are subject to these attacks.
*   Change any passwords that may have been compromised immediately.
*   If you downloaded a malicious file, disconnect that computer from the network.
*   Notify anyone whose information could be compromised as soon as possible to prevent identity theft.
*   Report attempts to [reportphishing@apwg.org](mailto:reportphishing@apwg.org) and [FTC.gov/Complaint](https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/).

An Image Depicting Someone Succumbing to a Phishing Attack

Phishing-Image

Phishing Facts

**Source:** [cdc.gov/covid-19](http://cdc.gov/covid-19)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The outbreak first started in China, but cases have been identified in a growing number of other areas, including the United States. Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness. Symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Those who are immunocompromised and the elderly are at highest risk for complications.

**Symptoms may include:**
*   Fever
*   Cough
*   Difficulty breathing
*   Shortness of breath

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person contact via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets enter the body via the mouth and nose of a nearby individual.

**Close contact increases your risk for COVID-19**, including:
*   Being within approximately 6 feet of an individual with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time.
*   Having direct contact with body fluids (such as blood, phlegm, and respiratory droplets) from an individual with COVID-19.

**To protect yourself from exposure:**
*   Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet.
*   Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 40 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
*   Do not touch your face with unwashed hands.
*   Minimize contact with frequently touched surfaces.

**To protect your business:**
*   Send home or separate anyone who becomes sick.
*   Encourage and support your employees’ personal health and recommend they stay home when sick.
*   Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
*   Create an exposure mitigation plan utilizing [this information](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/workplace-school-and-home-guidance.pdf).

**Additional Sources:**

**[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/index.html](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/index.html)**

**[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/guidance-law-enforcement.pdf](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/guidance-law-enforcement.pdf)**

**[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/php/CDC-Activities-Initiatives-for-COVID-19-Response.pdf](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/php/CDC-Activities-Initiatives-for-COVID-19-Response.pdf)**

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