{"id":20561,"date":"2020-03-19T17:12:42","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T21:12:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.psafe.com\/en\/blog\/?p=20561"},"modified":"2022-04-27T14:52:44","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T18:52:44","slug":"while-the-world-battles-a-global-coronavirus-pandemic-there-is-a-parallel-battle-going-on-digitally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.psafe.com\/en\/blog\/while-the-world-battles-a-global-coronavirus-pandemic-there-is-a-parallel-battle-going-on-digitally\/","title":{"rendered":"During the Coronavirus pandemic, there is a parallel battle going on digitally"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to a number of cybersecurity professionals, there\u2019s been an uptick in attacks against an incredibly wide range of targets… a huge increase in hackers registering malicious coronavirus-related domains… and an increase in sales of discounted, off-the-shelf malware on the dark web.<\/span><\/p>\n

LEGITIMATE SITES ARE BEING “FAKED”<\/b><\/p>\n

One of the most high-profile recent attacks was aimed at a popular, interactive COVID-19 tracking map maintained by Johns Hopkins University.\u00a0 Hackers are selling malware that compromises the map and infects users. The university is aware of the malware impersonation of its site, and warned users to only trust the maps<\/span> at its own website.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Sadly, the John Hopkins fakes are just one of MANY recent attacks that deliver spam, steal credentials, and infect victims with malware. Digital hackers have been very quick to exploit an understandable desire for reliable information, amid widespread anxiety about the COVID-19 outbreak. Emilio Simoni, director of dfndr lab, a laboratory specializing in digital security at PSafe, notes that \u201cCybercriminals aim to profit from this global health crisis: by taking and\/or ransoming victims\u2019 personal data; by spreading internet scams; and by infecting victims with malicious malware downloads.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

UNPRECEDENTED CHANGE MEANS NEW DIGITAL THREATS<\/b><\/p>\n

The Coronavirus pandemic has already changed normal daily life and the way business is getting done.\u00a0 Because so many people are being asked to shelter-in-place and practice social-distancing, a much larger number of people are now working remotely, and spending even more time online.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hackers have ramped up their activity to meet this moment.\u00a0 Malicious actors have seized the opportunity to target victims with greater numbers of scams and malware campaigns.\u00a0 Remote work vulnerabilities are being exploited, so organizations must minimize cybersecurity risks as best they can.<\/span><\/p>\n

PROTECTING YOUR DIGITAL DEVICES<\/b><\/p>\n

Most of us access the internet and social networks through our cell phones. For this reason, security experts recommend that you employ a dedicated solution that alert you in real time whenever you access a scam site, or interact with a known digital virus “vector.” <\/span>dfndr Security<\/b> has a robust <\/span>Anti-Hacking<\/b> capability you can activate if you have the app \u2014 and if you don\u2019t have the app, <\/span>\u00a0you can download the free version, right here. <\/span><\/a>Upgrade to the <\/span>dfndr Pro<\/b> version if you want to get the <\/span>Safe App Installer<\/b> (which warns you if an app has malware). It also offers<\/span> Identity Theft Protection<\/b> to keep your email safe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Consider downloading<\/span> dfndr Pro <\/b>during this crisis to keep your digital devices and your information as safe as possible..<\/span><\/p>\n

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MORE WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF<\/b><\/p>\n

The best ways to protect your personal (and business) cyber health are almost exactly the same as during \u201cnormal\u201d times:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n