by Thomas F. Duffy, MS-ISAC Chair, summarized by Laura Baker
Cyber threat bad actors are expected to leverage the coronavirus outbreak to conduct financial fraud and disseminate malware (malware is software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer or computer system). MS-ISAC is asking you to be aware of fake charities and fraudulent websites that solicit donations for relief efforts and could deliver malware.
Similar scams have been seen after natural disasters (forest fires & hurricanes), terrorist attacks like the Boston Marathon bombing, and even after the Royal wedding.
MS-ISAC has observed an increase of the registration of website names containing the phrase ‘coronavirus’ and the majority of these contain the combination of the words ‘help,’ ‘relief,’ ‘victims,’ and ‘recover.’ Be aware of phishing emails and these websites. Any emails that have individual pleas, are unsolicited, or ask for personal or financial information, should be considered suspicious.
For more information, check out MS-ISAC’s article and CIS’s website at https://www.cisecurity.org/newsletter/cyber-threat-actors-expected-to-leverage-coronavirus-outbreak/
