- Coronavirus crisis affects crime rates globally
By: Hassan Aslam
The pandemic wreaking havoc across the globe has caused thousands of deaths, driven economies to a screeching halt, and transformed the way we interact with one another. Unsurprisingly, crime is another sector that has not proven immune to the virus.
Predictions for crime are region-dependent, however, the common link is the expectation that opportunistic criminals will take advantage of weakened justice and authority resources. In Pakistan, governmental security forces are under pressure to devote their efforts towards preventing the spread of covid-19 rather than fighting crime.
Forums on the dark web, the brackish depths of the Internet that are invisible to regular search engines, mimic Google’s spike in Corona-themed discussions and posts. According to Digital Shadows, a cybersecurity agency, not all of this chatter is nefarious, yet there are still lawbreakers aiming to use the pandemic to their own advantages.
Exploiting Vulnerabilities: With the majority of nations enforcing quarantine and social distancing policies, Internet usage has skyrocketed. The online world is now supporting millions of individuals using it for everything from classes to business to entertainment. Despite that, coronavirus, covid-19, and related terms like homemade hand sanitizer, are the highest-ranking terms on Google.
Healthcare institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend preventive measures such as sanitizing hands and frequently used surfaces, wearing masks in public and staying indoors. Hence, the supply of certain products has far exceeded the demand, and disinfectants, N95 masks, and similar items remain in short supply.
Cybercriminals have swiftly adapted to these new vulnerabilities. Malefactors send out phishing emails with enticing subject lines promising recipients access to commodities such as masks or hand sanitizer. Instead, the victim will find a link leading to a malicious website or a downloadable file that installs insidious malware on their devices.
Remember that location is not a factor for digital predators, especially in times of a global crisis. Anyone can benefit from increased security measures and we should all do our utmost to report scams and fraud to the authorities
Preying on the emotional response to the crisis to acquire sensitive information is another popular tactic among online offenders. Insurance fraud, calls or texts from supposed family members in distress, and fake charity causes, abound.
Businesses are also falling prey to hackers manipulating weaknesses caused by the crisis. A large portion of the workforce is now remote, using insecure devices and networks to access company systems.
Targeting Hospitals and Healthcare Employees: The more nefarious members of the online underworld go a step further by threatening healthcare institutions. As medical professionals around the world risk their lives battling the virus, hackers have no qualms compromising essential systems by sending ransomware.
The end goal is to coerce overburdened institutions to pay up to restore access and avoid compromising patient care. These actions can result in unwarranted deaths— needless casualties added to the mounting statistics of those lost to the virus.
Nonetheless, governments and security firms are taking a hardline stance towards transgressors that cross that line and jeopardize lives. Mikko Hypponen, the CEO of Finnish security firm F-ware, tweeted a warning to anyone menacing healthcare organizations: “…we will use all our resources to hunt you down.”
The Chief Security Officer at Cybereason stated that hospital security employees are working tirelessly to improve and update systems to keep attackers out.
Staying Safe Online:Now more than ever, taking precautions online is crucial for both private individuals, businesses, and the medical and academic institutions struggling to reduce the human toll of the virus. Although it is impossible to eliminate hackers from the online universe completely, it is feasible to lower the risk of attack through common-sense security measures.
Stay vigilant against phishing emails. If the email or call is from an unknown source, pay extra attention to what is suggested or offered. Most of the times these “exclusive” opportunities are too good to be true. From cheap sanitation products and face masks to the “blood of covid-19 survivors”, coronavirus hoaxes are ubiquitous. Often times phishing emails are sent from compromised accounts so reach out to family and friends to double-check if a certain dodgy message is indeed sent by them. If not, report the email to your service provider to stop scammers in their tracks.
Back up your files, especially during times of prolonged remote work. This mitigates your risk of suffering financial losses due to ransomware. If unfortunately, your device is locked from clicking covid-19 hoax links, having your files tucked away ahead of time means you could simply default your device.
A VPN is another strategy worth implementing to defend your personal information. Investing in security can save thousands of rupees lost to tireless cybercriminals. Using a VPN secures your internet connection such that hackers will not be able to intercept your traffic or spy on you.
Remember that location is not a factor for digital predators, especially in times of a global crisis. Anyone can benefit from increased security measures and we should all do our utmost to report scams and fraud to the authorities.
