We didn’t publish our newsletter last week.
It just did not make sense. The impact of the second wave has been devastating across India. This week too, we did not want to talk about cybersecurity stuff, while the country was reeling. But, then, when criminals are using the panic to take advantage of people, and we think this advisory is required. In fact, it is a call to action for all cybersecurity professionals.
Exploiting Collective Human Interests…
When there is a situation that catches the collective human eye, it also catches the hacker’s eye. The COVID-19 crisis has been just such a situation.
https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2021/04/26/cybercriminals-evolving-tactics/
Phishing attacks have increased 510%!
With people not seeing each other and relying on their screens to get information and stay connected, criminals are using this to their advantage. Phishing emails click rates are much higher due to extended work from home.
Free vaccines, anyone?
The rise of vaccine related phishing is phenomenal.
From apps that promise to give you vaccine status to emails from the government and emails from the HR department with links to click (and credentials to harvest) for getting a free vaccine, the criminals are having a dream run.
A call to all of us - increase awareness!
This is the time for all of us, as cybersecurity professionals, to be on the alert. It is the time to proactively help our organisations and our community in identifying and reporting such phishing attacks. Once you identify an attack, create a quick advisory and circulate it widely. It is our duty to ensure that the cyber criminal preying on people’s fears should not be given a free ride!