Cyber Security is more important than ever, Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the chaos of current events associated with COVID-19. Sadly we’ve seen financially motivated malicious actors using coronavirus-themed phishing in many campaigns. In the past malicous actors have used anxiety surrounding Ebola, Zika, and SARS to make money.
Criminals looking to take advantage of the coronavirus have targeted both individuals and businesses with fake emails claiming to be from trusted organisations; Organisations like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organisation. The phishing emails promise everything from information on cures to medical equipment. In reality, they aim to deliver malware or steal passwords in a bid to cash in on this terrible situation.
Attackers are also disrupting internal businesses’ credibility in their attacks, researchers from the cyber firm Proofpoint wrote. “We have seen a campaign that uses a Coronavirus-themed email that is designed to look like an internal email from the company’s president to all employees… This email is extremely well-crafted and lists the business’ president’s correct name.”
Individuals have heightened interest in news and developments related to the virus, potentially making them more susceptible to social engineering tricking them into clicking on malicious links.