Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay.

Yes, it has happened. Opportunistic hackers have created computer viruses targeting people who do web searches for information on the coronavirus. A major Catholic organization (not us!) suffered a huge infiltration last week, so it is not an idle threat. Even at breakfast today two of the sisters mentioned getting dubious text messages like, "Keep your phone save from Coronavirus! Click here." Or, "Congratulations! For keeping up to date with your phone bill, you win a new Samsung phone!" (The funny thing on this one, besides the fact that we sisters do not pay our own phone bills, is that the sister who got the message is a missionary who has only been in the country for five years.) So whether it is on your phone or on your computer network, be alert to the new wave of computer viruses.

It is hard to believe that there are people who are that selfish that they see every crisis is an opportunity to make money or cause others harm. Maybe some of them are simply slaves of organized crime. All the more reason to use extra vigilance if you  find yourself online more than usual during this time of social distancing. Be sure to help any naive or inexperienced loved ones in this regard, too. If it happened to a major nonprofit, it can happen in your neighborhood.

Here is the advice we received from our Provincial Superior (also an I.T. expert):

There is a new round of Covid-19 related malware that’s aimed at taking advantage of the situation.  Anti-malware is not yet available to deal with it, so we need to rely on each one of you to be careful. 

Only access well known and reliable sources for information and maps of Covid-19.  These include:

• https://www.cdc.gov/
• https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
• http://www.childrenshospital.org/
  

Do not simply google and click links for this type of information.  Hackers are using Covid-19 as a cover for placing malware on computers.  There are reported malware infected versions of the John Hopkins University Covid-19 mapping website.  Infected sites aim to steal account login information or to install ransomware (crypto-viruses).
 
Do not click on any links in emails you may receive from unknown sources with information about the coronavirus Covid-19.  Do not open attachments including pdf files.  
If an email comes unexpectedly from a government agency, health authority or some other group or organization do not click on links or open attachments.