WASHINGTON: U.S. web company GoDaddy apologized Thursday (December 25) after an email promising a Christmas bonus to workers in the midst of an economic crisis was a computer security test.
“GoDaddy makes the security of our platform very important. We understand that some employees were upset with the phishing attempt and we felt it was insensitive, and We apologize, “said a spokesperson for GoDaddy, the world ‘s largest internet domain management company. AFP in a statement.
“While the test mimicked real efforts in play today, we need to do better and be more aware of our employees,” the Arizona-based company said.
In December, about 500 employees clicked on an email from the company offering a US $ 650 Christmas bonus and asking them to fill out a form with their personal information.
Two days later, a different message appeared in their inboxes.
“You’re getting this email because you recently failed our phishing test,” read the email from GoDaddy’s head of security, according to Copper Courier Arizona newspaper.
The phishing method, widely used by computer hackers, sees emails pretending to be someone who knows the intended target, with the goal of obtaining information to integrate their computer systems.
The email started a test on social media as millions of Americans have been hit hard by the economic crisis linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.