It has been already highlighted by many organizations and authorities that cyber criminals remain active, taking advantage of people’s uncertainty and fear arising from the COVID-19 crisis.
Interpol reminds that
Criminals don’t take breaks. Even as everything around us is being put on hold, they are looking for new ways to generate profits.
The COVID-19 has set the world into a frenzy, with high levels of anxiety and citizens try to find ways to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy. Yet, criminals are waiting for this vulnerability, to attack through a wide range of crimes and scams which exploit the fear and uncertainty surrounding the virus.
There are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself. Be on the alert for counterfeit medical products, fraud and cybercrime,
… Interpol advises.
In the meantime, the authority informs that they have already dealt with an increase in fake or counterfeit medical items available on the market, including disposable surgical masks, hand sanitizers, antiviral and antimalarial medication, vaccines and COVID-19 test kits.
Similarly, the North Club has cautioned the industry of the risks when deciding on testing and PPE requirements and exercise caution when purchasing.
In addition, there has been a rise in cyber crime incidents linked around aspects of the coronavirus to target organizations and unsuspecting victims. Malicious domains, malware and ransomware are among the different types of cyberattack being reported. Telephone fraud and phishing are on the rise, with criminals tailoring their techniques to the current situation.
As seen on the image below, frauds linked to the COVID-19 include:
- Telephone fraud – criminals call victims pretending to be clinic or hospital officials, who claim that a relative of the victim has fallen sick with the virus and request payments for medical treatment;
- Phishing – emails claiming to be from national or global health authorities, with the aim of tricking victims to provide personal credentials or payment details, or to open an attachment containing malware.
Concluding, Interpol recommends that
If your government has asked you to #StayHome, please do so. Don’t put yourself or others at risk. You can help law enforcement and other first responders by respecting government measures.
