Real Encryption Matters in a Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused upheaval in too many ways to measure. It’s been a public health crisis, an economic disaster, and there are also countless trickle-down effects we’re still learning about.

Hackers have exploited the pandemic, targeting people via phishing scams and other ways to obtain their stimulus funds. Unfortunately, our health isn’t the only thing at risk right now, so read on to learn a few helpful ways you can keep your communications secure during a pandemic.

Military-Grade Encryption

The safest way to prevent data thieves from hacking your phone is to get a military-grade PGP encrypted phone that they can’t penetrate. Even if you don’t think your records, information, connections, and communications are particularly valuable, they probably hold more value than any of your tangible possessions. Anybody can be the victim of identity theft, fraud, and ransom. 

Once you’ve decided to get an encrypted phone, choose an industry-leading platform with its own proprietary encryption, such as ChatMail’s Advanced Messaging and Parsing Protocol (CAMP). If you’re protected by encryption encompassing PGP and Elliptical Curve Cryptography, you can easily. 

Don’t trust an app that claims to offer “end-to-end encryption.” Hackers can find a way to sneak between the encryption unless there are other protective measures in place, such as:

• Tamper proofing
• Self-destructing messages
• Notebook lock screen
• Encrypted cameras and phone

When your phone is hermetically sealed, a hacker will move on and look for a more vulnerable target. 

Beware of Phishing Scams

Have you seen any emails in your inbox from addresses you don’t recognize? What about emails purporting to be from a government agency that, when you look a little closer, seem a little off?

There’s been a massive proliferation of phishing scams during the pandemic, as identity thieves pretending to be a contact or government agency send mass emails hoping to elicit people’s personal information so that they can use it against them. Thankfully, a COVID-19 appears to be around the corner! However, that’s given identity thieves another opportunity to send fake emails claiming people can get the vaccination sooner if they volunteer some personal information.

Never click on a link from an untrusted source or a name you don’t recognize. No bank or government agency will ever ask for personal information like passwords or other confidential information over an email, so don’t share this information.

Also, be wary of email scams related to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. There are only two official ways to make payments, by online application or over the phone. If you receive an email, text, or phone call about making repayments, beware — it’s a scam!

The pandemic has been a struggle for everybody in many senses of the word. Please, continue doing what has helped flatten the curve so far, like wearing a mask, social distancing, and washing your hands frequently. But you must also take measures to protect against identity theft and fraud, so that means being wary of phishing scams and using a phone with military-grade encryption.