COVID-19: The Spread of Online Malware

With the recent chain of events, living under an unprecedented global pandemic has severely changed the way the economy and various parts of the world function. Everyone is awaiting the day that things go back to normal. But until then, the internet has been of great resources.

While the importance of physical human touch is missing, many organizations and industries are adjusting themselves due to the quick decision of online migration. They have given their employees online access to work from home in the most resourceful way possible.

While the threat of looming pandemic remains, people have realized one thing, that this lifestyle change is something that everyone will have to live with to a certain extent. In the process of maintaining social distancing, one would also need to create more permanent structures, hierarchies, and system online, so that work is done as efficiently as possible. But due to this sudden online migration, many industries are susceptible to being victims of cyberattacks.

According to WHO reports, since the onset of Covid 19 that has rapidly spread throughout the globe; another type of viruses has started spreading online as well. They have witnessed a sharp increase in cyber-attacks. This report also states that over 400 WHO email IDs and passwords have been leaked. This has impacted the old data that is accessed by current and retired WHO personnel.

Cyber-attacks are taking new forms due to the slip in security. This is because employees are no longer confined to availing sensitive information within the four walls of the organization; it has weakened access to sensitive information. An organization tends to invest in firewalls and other security checks when it comes to information access. But this security measure is only limited to within the four walls of the organization. In current days, with employees accessing sensitive information from their server, it has fueled the growing number of cyberattacks.

What Is Different About Cyber Attacks During Covid?

Covid-19, Corona Virus, Corona Beer; these are trending words that easily grab attention. Everyone wants to know how governments around the world are controlling Covid 19 spread, what are policies and decisions they are taking to limit the spread, and to counteract the repercussion of this crisis. While some websites are legitimate, many are posing to be. These websites open up opportunities to scamming, phishing, and spread of misinformation.

Another unique yet common form of cyber-attack is when the virus is being embedded in the server of certain websites that require trust. Therefore, when people click on these CTAs, they’re invariably attacked. According to a particular source, cyber-attacks have gone up by 37% on a month-on-month basis, during the whole Covid-19 breakout. But the pandemic has made certain industries more susceptible to cyber-attack over others. These industries play a very important role from an economic perspective.

Top Industries Facing Cyber Security Issues:

In the wake of this disastrous pandemic, many industries are susceptible to facing cyber security issues. Some more so than others. They are as follows:

1) Government Industry:

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With the outbreak of a fast-spreading virus, the government utilizes digital tools and online platforms to keep track of the current situation, as well as relief policies. The government also has highly sensitive information that is susceptible to attack. They are under attack by different types of people and entities, for various reasons. The government-industry needs to set appropriate security or re-work on their current internet security system.

2) Banking:

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While it’s difficult to visit a bank physically, people these days are heavily reliant on online banking features. This is another industry that is susceptible to facing cyber-attacks. If the server is weak and unprotected; the individual and organization’s finances are at stake. Such industries need to keep a check and update their security measures, check for malware, or invest in a cheap SSL certificate like Comodo Positive SSL Certificate that’ll provide a high level of security and protect against cyber-attacks.

3) Health Care:

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One of the leading and most important industries in current times. The health care industry is in the frontline of this pandemic. The healthcare industry is the current warriors battling the invisible enemy. During these chaotic times, in a rush to save lives, online security can be easily compromised. Online hackers can use this opportunity to make a chaotic situation even more chaotic, compromising life. Hence, health care needs to pay attention to their online security measures as well. They’re at a vulnerable place for false rumors to spread.

4) E-commerce Industry:

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Everything has migrated online. To stay afloat, business organizations have taken an online form indeed. The internet presently has become like a candy store, for all those online hackers who like children are tempted to stir chaos to get their hands on those sugary goods. Since everything is being done online like shopping, e-commerce websites need to be extremely careful these days to not fall prey to online hackers. Since sales are going down a bit slow, these hackers and malware can pose themselves amongst genuine buyers.

5) Education:

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While the pandemic has affected every other sector, it cannot affect the basic right to an education, that every child deserves. The pandemic has made education take an online form. Since education is also a competitive business, it sits in fears of their online structure being hacked. This fear has been turning into a reality during the Covid 19 Pandemic. Hence, the education industry should also consider investing in security measures.

An online business needs to start securing their servers. One great way to do so is by investing in an SSL certificate. So, it is important to start investing in such security and not let COVID 19 become a reason for another virus to spread online.