Scammers take advantage of ongoing events like award shows, tax season and others, to trap victims into cyber attacks. Coronavirus outbreak is not different. This pandemic spreading at an alarming rate has seen a lot of false information going around, throwing the world into a panic. As significant events are cancelled to slow the new cases rates, and big cities close down, hackers like always have capitalized on the crisis.
Cyber security experts now warn against opening any sites in the effort to learn more about the virus. This call to caution is because criminals take advantage of most events dominating the media coverage to spread spyware or malware. As a result, they track your details by infiltrating devices and stealing valuable information.
Though they did not access any vital information, hackers attacked the Human Services Department, which is deeply involved in the fight against COVID-19.
‘Corona live 1.1 that presents as a coronavirus tracking app made for the Android smartphones is spyware first reported by CNET. Anyone could fall victim to the spyware as it cites its source as the legitimate Johns Hopkins coronavirus tracker. Though the virus displayed infection rates, geographical data, and deaths from the affected countries, it contained Trojan with spyware which tracked the user.
Once you open it, it can access your location, device photos and other files and media, as it seeks permission to record video and capture photos.
Initially, the app targeted Libyans, but experts say it is easy to purchase and customize. While it was not available on Google’s Play Store, it was possibly spread through third-party app stores or social media.
According to Lookout, a security firm working with Google’s App Defense Alliance, there is an increase of banking Trojan, phishing scams and COVID -19 themed ransomware today. In the wake of this global crisis, tech giants like Facebook, Twitter, Google and Microsoft have teamed up to fight against its spread to clear misinformation concerns.
A few weeks ago, ZDNet reported that Google took down an app from Iran that tracked down infections of the pandemic. Citizens rose concerns that the app was collecting phone numbers and users’ location.
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How to Identify Malware, Spyware or other Malicious Apps
- A Slowed Down Operating System
Files and applications take too long to load. The main activity of malware or any virus is that it slows down the operating system. You may, however, check to rule out other possible reasons like outdated OS, fragmented system, too many computer resources, or low storage space on the hard disk. If these are not the reasons, consider a potential attack.
- Receiving Strange Messages
Getting strange messages opening randomly on the computer screen. Spyware, typically designed to steal and collect users’ sensitive data is a common malware characterized by unexpected pop-ups. Besides the annoying pop-ups that affect your browsing, it is difficult to remove the malware from your system. The malware is a significant threat as they can cause massive destruction on your OS.
- Blue Screen Death
A system often crashes when a user plays games or watches YouTube videos. The Blue Screen Death, also known as BSOD, is characterized by the screen freezing and a blue screen popping. The computer will then indicate that Windows is recovering from some sudden shutdown. In some cases, this occurs as a result of potential incompatibility between hardware and software, and there is a high possibility of a malware attack.
- Low Storage Space Notification
Notification of low storage space. Most malware uses various methods to replicate and fill up available hard drive space causing it to crash.
Suspicious internet traffic surge. Windows updates, programs downloading data, running apps on the background or bulky downloads could be other reasons for increased internet traffic. If this is not the case, increased internet traffic could point to a malware attack.
- Unusual Website Behaviour
Unusual behaviours like a change of web address, new toolbars or changing homepage without the users’ intervention could suggest malware infection. These annoying and malicious effects can compromise your data significantly.
- A Disabled Antivirus
“Protection is disabled” message when using an antivirus should concern you as some sneaky malware disables your security attempts. If you have tried rebooting your computer and exhausted all the troubleshooting efforts, consider dealing with possible malware.
Traditional anti-virus programs do not block, remove or detect sophisticated malware.
- Strange Messages From Friends on Social Media
Automatically “sending” strange random messages from Facebook to friends from your account, could indicate an infection with malware. They spread through tricking users in your mail or contact list to open links received from you, hence get exposed as well. However, check if you accidentally left any account open on computers used by many people.
- Unfamiliar Icons on desktop
New, unfamiliar icons on the desktop, could mean you are under attach after accidentally downloading Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs).
- Strange Error Messages
Unusual error messages when using your computer could be a warning of a computer bug in the system.
Ways to Avoid Coronavirus-themed Hackers
- Don’t Just Click any links or popup
Before clicking any site or pop up, carefully scrutinize. Since people are hungry for information and looking for all information they can, it is easy to open anything with the words CDC or WHO, or other reliable sources. Not everything that suggests being from these sites is actually from there. Avoid opening links after panic episodes.
- Be Vigilant
Be vigilant. Health workers and hospital staff are now more susceptible to malware attacks as they are desperate for information while super busy. But everyone should take extra care when browsing unknown sites, downloading new software and opening attachments. If you have doubts about a message or app, err on the side of caution. Do not open.
Take caution as you work from home. Ensure your computers have updated anti-viruses as you observe online safety measures.
There is a pop up of many sites purporting to provide users with information about the worldwide pandemic and related products around the world. Be slow to check any unauthorized sites. If you doubt it, heed to your conscience.
Most bugs have extremely enticing topics to get the attention and curiosity of the user. Things like ‘Cure for Coronavirus Released’ are examples of topics to keep off.