As it spreads rapidly around the world, COVID-19 has triggered a huge spike in coronavirus-themed cybercrimes. Considering just the volume of threats so far, the pandemic could become the largest cybercrime theme of all time.
It's happening against a backdrop of the long-term trend toward increasing reliance on digital technologies and services, and that trend has taken a large leap forward with stay-at-home orders. The COVID-19 threat landscape presents new vulnerabilities in addition to heightening existing areas of risk.
It's important that businesses meet the challenge head on by identifying new weak points, preparing for a potential uptick in attacks, and adapting protections for sensitive data and critical systems.
It's important that businesses meet the challenge head on by identifying new weak points, preparing for a potential uptick in attacks, and adapting protections for sensitive data and critical systems.
Cybercriminals have found new ways to exploit the opportunities arising from the sudden transition to remote work. They seek to take advantage of poorly protected residential connections and employees mixing personal and business browsing that leaves them more open to malware attacks.
Researchers say lures related to the new coronavirus comprise more than 80 percent of the threat landscape, including more than 500,000 different variations of emails, 300,000-plus malicious URLs and more than 200,000 malicious attachments. We can also expect to see a surge in threats related to the upcoming distribution of federal relief money.
Continue reading: Be Prepared: Pandemic Creates Targets of Opportunity for Cybercriminals
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