Ransomware

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the rate of cyber attacks. As the workplace paradigm shifted to home scenarios – leading to weaker security controls – attackers lured people with ransomware-themed phishing emails about COVID-19. For example, many phishing campaigns have tricked users into clicking on specific links to obtain sensitive information related to the COVID-19 vaccine, shortage of surgical masks, etc. Attackers have made good use of fake information related to COVID-19 as a hook to successfully launch a phishing campaign. Higher unemployment rates may be another factor that motivates people to engage in cybercrime, such as launching ransomware attacks and disrupting critical IT services for a living.