Microsoft Warns about Myanmar Support Phishing Scams

Last week, we brought you reports about the terrible disaster that had hit Myanmar the weekend before. We also followed Google's actions towards helping the victims of Myanmar. As most of you already know, Google has put in a considerable effort to make its users aware of the extent of the disaster made by Cyclone Nargis. In this respect, both on the Google Earth and the Google search page you were able to find information about the disaster.

As we already stated, Google was among the companies that have taken it upon themselves to give humanitarian support to the Myanmar victims. Through Google Earth, users are able to see satellite images of before and after Cyclone Nargis struck. Through the Google search page, users were directed to a Support disaster relief in Myanmar(Burma), where they could donate funds for the victims.

Along with Google, another large company has joined the humanitarian task force to help the Cyclone Nargis victims. Microsoft has encouraged its employees who want to donate to do so through one of their partner international humanitarian relief organizations. Microsoft is one of the largest companies worldwide and it is not new to humanitarian actions. Among the partner organizations, CARE, World Vision, The American Red Cross or Save the Children are probably the most significant.

At this point, the number of people reported to be missing is over 40,000, with a death toll of half that number. As for the affected victims, only 20% of them have received any type of support until now.

In a recent entry on the Microsoft Developer Network official blog, users are informed about the potential risks concerning online donations for the Myanmar victims. It appears that, not long after websites like Google and Microsoft have created Support pages, a number of fake websites have also surfaced. These are phishing sites, whose aim is to try and steal personal data from users that are well-meant, such as is the case with those who want to make donations for the Myanmar victims.


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