Ten Deadly Cyber Security Threats Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

<p>World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic after the breakout in the city of Wuhan, China. The disease has negatively affected the global economy and daily life. Most of the countries around the world have imposed travel restrictions, locked down, and social distancing measures. In the current situation, Information and Communications Technology is playing a significant role in connecting people. Majority of the education organizations have adopted online platforms, students and staff are working from home. Besides, these businesses, e-healthcare systems, food deliveries, and online grocery shopping have witnessed a very high demand. Malicious attackers have considered COVID-19 as an opportunity to launch attacks for financial gains and to promote their evil intents. Healthcare systems are being attacked with ransomware and resources such as patient's records confidentiality, and integrity is being compromised. People are falling prey to phishing attacks through COVID-19 related content. In this research, we have identified the top ten cybersecurity threats that had and could take place during the pandemic. We have also discussed the privacy concerns raised amid COVID-19. <i></i></p>

A Multivocal Literature Review on Growing Social Engineering Based Cyber-Attacks/Threats During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Prospective Solutions

“…The threat actor then tries to extort a monetary payment from the victim in exchange for the key required to decrypt the compromised information files and data. For example, a British research company that was preparing the COVID-19 vaccines to conduct trials was attacked with MAZE ransomware [65]. Cybersecurity experts and researchers need to develop robust software tools for penetration testing, guidelines, and security standards to detect and comprehend the threat landscape and potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities.…”

COVID-19 and Cybersecurity: Finally, an Opportunity to Disrupt?

“…There has been a great increase in false messages associated with the COVID-19 pandemic [ 11 ]. These messages feed on the spread of misinformation, “fake news,” fear, isolation, and lack of awareness to turn the confined population into a vulnerable target for those types of attacks [ 12 ] and persuade victims to give away money, personal data, and credentials (eg, phishing, ransomware, false fundraising campaigns) [ 13 ]. Further, when people are isolated, they tend to buy more products on the web; therefore, attackers can take advantage of fraudulent product delivery messages.…”

Have You Been a Victim of COVID-19-Related Cyber Incidents? Survey, Taxonomy, and Mitigation Strategies

“…The other studies that highlighted the cybersecurity issues that arised owing to this pandemic include the work of [32] , which feature the sectors severely affected by the pandemic and the need for proper security measures to prevent cyberattacks. Similarly, the work of [33] highlighted the cybercrime and cybersecurity challenges that arised from the work-from-home directives from various governments and other organizations.…”