Fake coronavirus news is spreading faster than the virus

Internet security experts say your alarm bells should be ringing if you see a message claiming there's a ban on work or telling you how to test yourself for infection. — dpa

At a time when most of us are looking for updates and helpful information on the novel coronavirus, anyone with a smartphone would do well to be sceptical about anything coming in by email or messenger app.

That's because there are already countless misleading and fake messages purportedly explaining how to protect yourself against an infection, recognise symptoms of the disease and respond if you have the virus.