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Cybercriminals try to wreak havoc during global pandemic

2020-04-03T22:51:34.548Z


As government leaders and emergency workers battle the new coronavirus, which causes illness and death in much of the world, federal enforcement agents ...


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Coronavirus: cybercriminals on the prowl 4:34

(CNN) - Emergency workers attacked with malicious software. Ransomware deployed against medical facilities. Average citizens misled by stimulus check scams. Children face electronic espionage.

As government leaders and emergency workers battle the new disease-causing coronavirus in much of the world, federal law enforcement officers in the United States They are also working to fend off malicious cyber attacks that take advantage of the pandemic to cause damage.

In a series of public bulletins issued last month by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service, federal officials have urged citizens to keep an eye out for a growing list of threats emanating from cyberspace.

On Wednesday, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center issued a public notice warning that cybercriminals were taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to exploit the use of virtual environments adopted by government agencies, businesses, students, and private citizens seeking to maintain communication after the unprecedented call from governments and leaders for people to stay home.

"The covid-19 pandemic has caused an increase in telecommuting to communicate and share information over the internet," the FBI said in its warning. "With this knowledge, malicious cyber-actors are looking for ways to exploit vulnerabilities in telecommuting software to obtain confidential information, spy on conference calls or virtual meetings, or perform other malicious activities."

  • Cybercriminals lurking amid the coronavirus pandemic

The FBI's Wednesday newsletter followed a similar warning earlier in the week from the agency, specifically citing criminals' attempts to compromise popular video conferencing software program Zoom.

"The FBI has received multiple reports of conferences interrupted by pornographic and / or hateful images and threatening language," the FBI notice said. The Office went on to outline a series of steps that the public must take to help protect their privacy, including ensuring that Zoom virtual meetings are set to “private,” requiring passwords for online meetings, and blocking the ability to share screens by anyone other than the host of the meeting.

  • Zoombombing, FBI warns that Zoom video calls are being intercepted

A Zoom spokesperson responded to CNN, in an email Thursday, that the company "appreciates all efforts to raise awareness of the best way to prevent such attacks."

As more and more schools have moved to online learning in response to the closure of educational institutions across the country, the FBI is also providing advice to parents on how to protect their children from malicious cyber-actors.

Specifically, the Office has urged parents to closely monitor children's use of educational technology and online services. They should "conduct regular internet searches of children's information to monitor exposure and dissemination of their information online" and "consider monitoring credit or identity theft to verify any fraudulent use of your child's identity" , according to FBI experts.

Another tactic used by sophisticated criminal actors to prey on unsuspecting victims is the creation of fraudulent coronavirus-related websites. In a letter last week to government colleagues, the acting chief of information for Homeland Security noted that an analysis of newly created websites associated with covid-19 found that nearly a hundred of the sites reviewed were "Actively malicious", while more than 2,000 were considered "suspicious."

A variation on this tactic can be found in recent efforts by cybercriminals to trick consumers into claiming "stimulus checks" at major stores for the pandemic crisis. In a scam highlighted this week by the FBI, criminals sent unsolicited text messages to recipients, directing them to click a link to claim a $ 100 "stimulus reward" from retailer Costco. In reality, the link redirects the user to a malicious website that then compromises the user's phone.

The #FBI is warning the public that Costco is NOT texting (or using social media platforms) the public or its' customers to provide a “stimulus check,” “freebies,” or a “stimulus package.” These messages, containing a malicious link, are a #SCAM. Do NOT click on the link. #fraud pic.twitter.com/PwCutAaPwO

- FBI San Diego (@FBISanDiego) March 31, 2020

In addition to taking advantage of online technical features, the Government also warned that cyber criminals are taking advantage of feelings of generosity towards those affected by the pandemic to steal money from innocent victims.

Last month, in a public Secret Service message, federal agents described how fraud perpetrators are actively “using social engineering tactics through legitimate social media websites seeking donations for charitable causes related to the virus. Criminals are exploiting people's charitable spirit, seeking donations to fraudulent causes surrounding the coronavirus. ” Members of the public were urged to exercise caution when donating to causes or organizations that may not be familiar to them.

The Secret Service message also included a harsh assessment of why cybercriminals are especially successful during periods of national crisis, noting that “any major news event can become an opportunity for groups or individuals with malicious intent. Coronavirus is no different. In fact, the coronavirus is an excellent opportunity for enterprising criminals because it plays on one of the basic human conditions ... fear. "

CNN's Geneva Sands, Rishi Iyengar, and Brian Fung and Dakin Andone contributed to this report.

cyber attack

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2020-04-03

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