A warning is issued after cyber SCAM targets Christchurch victim donations

Crown agency CERT NZ (the Computer Emergency Response Team) has issued a warning about various opportunistic cyber scams, seeking to exploit the Christchurch tragedy.

Scams and attacks have followed the following formats, CERT NZ says:

• Phishing emails containing links to fake online banking logins. These emails also contain fraudulent bank accounts where the public can make donations to the victims of the Christchurch tragedy.
• Sharing malicious video files on compromised websites or on social media. A video file containing footage related to the attack had malware embedded in it and this malicious file is being shared online.
• Attackers changing New Zealand websites to spread political messages about the Christchurch tragedy.

CERT NZ recommends that anyone wishing to donate only does so via official platforms and banks rather than using links in emails or on social media.

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Official fundraising efforts include a Givealittle page, where 77,000 people have donated $6.1 million and Launchgood, where $2.1m has been crowdfunded.

CERT NZ, which was set up last year as a "triage" point for people or small businesses under cyber attack, says Christchurch related scams should be reported via its website.

Any instances of online footage of the Christchurch massacre should be reported to the DIA via this link.

This article was first published on the NZ Herald and is republished here with permission.