CYBERSECURITY | WFH threats to watch out for as quarantine continues

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While the Covid-19 pandemic rages on, the rise of cyberattacks has been noted around the world as the dreaded coronavirus itself spreads its deadly payload.

Young women using computer, Cyber security concept.

While the Covid-19 pandemic rages on, the rise of cyberattacks has been noted around the world as the dreaded coronavirus itself spreads its deadly payload. Cybercriminals and scammers have taken advantage of the resulting quarantine and lockdown to release various viruses and malicious codes to an unsuspecting public.

Also, the work-from-home (WFH) mode of transacting business by a locked-down workforce has increased the attack surface or broadened the landscape open to virus intrusions. The surge in the use of the digital infrastructure, most prominently the internet and corporate networks, the financing institutions in particular, has made more people and enterprises vulnerable to cybercrime.

Among a glut of cyberthreats in today’s Covid-19 ravaged world, the following ten stand out as the most prevalent and persistent online pests:

Phishing. It’s a deceitful way of obtaining sensitive information like passwords and credit card details by masquerading that the request came from a trustworthy party. It can take the form of computer or SMS phishing with the intent to deploy nasty viruses or to steal personal credentials for ransom. Today, the most publicized incidents involve spurious emails (e.g. donation petitions) on the Covid-19 situation supposedly coming from trusted organizations like the World Health Organization and our own Department of Health.

Card skimmers. Criminals attach a hidden recorder on the ATM machine to gather account data on cards swiped on the compromised machine and later on use the recorded data to steal from the account. This is a particularly sinister form of illegal hack nowadays when locked down citizens rely on their ATM cards for money to pay for daily needs.

Spyware. Software or code embedded in the computer or phone that secretly leaks or transmits data in the compromised computer to other interested parties.

Malicious smartphone apps. Typically, SMS spyware or hidden Trojan that collects vital information or record conversations that are afterwards repurposed into attack vectors against the victim’s own device.

young asian man free lance designer father working at home while taking care of daughter.

Brute force. A security breach to crack the password or protective code by using an automated means of sending thousands or even millions of possible passwords to the target computer or device.

Malicious Domains. New illegitimate websites are being created every day to carry out spam or phishing with domain names related to coronavirus or COVID-19 and make money from unsuspecting online visitors.

Malware. Usually downloaded from an email, malware refers to software or malicious code intending to do harm on the computer or device, or to gain unauthorized access to the system for illicit purposes such as stealing information and/or corrupt the hard drive.

Ransomware. This attack vector disrupts the entire system by withholding access to it and only gives back control to the users once a ransom has been paid to the cybercriminals. Several ransomware episodes in health care facilities as well as disruptions in systems that track Coronavirus have already been reported.

Malicious contact tracing app. The scam works by directing the recipient of an SMS message to a website where he or she must input several personal information that may give hackers access to the person’s bank account. It’s a despicable way of abusing the trust of innocent people who are only helping out others in a time of grave need.

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Zoom bombing raids. Cyber attackers disrupt video calls by inserting or spouting lewd messages or politically motivated spiel in an ongoing online meeting. A video conference led by Pasig mayor Vico Sotto has been Zoom bombed with nude images while a Go Negosyo online forum on Covid 19 participated by CEOs has also been Zoom bombed with pornographic anime. Zoom bombing is feared to become so pervasive that the FBI is pushing to criminalize the Zoom bombing act.

Beware, these ten online plunderers continue to evolve. In fact, within the malware family itself, there must be at least 50 other variants, each with its own illegal specialty. To name three, there’s Avemaria which is a remote access Trojan, NetwiredRC with the capability to spy on manipulate and steal data, and AzoRult whose threat entails malicious phishing and drive-by exploits.
Be very aware, indeed. You may be next in line on the scammers’ homing device.

Compiled by Tony M. Maghirang

by Tony Maghirang, contributing editor
Contributing editor at TechSabado.com | Website

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