As the COVID-19 pandemic brought work and home environments together, criminal networks followed.
According to Nokia’s 2020 Threat Intelligence Report, “Trojan” malware infections on user devices were up almost 30 percent in the first half of 2020. While personal computers had the highest infection rate at 38.92 percent, malware infections on mobile devices also increased significantly. Android devices were hit hardest with 26 percent of infections across all platforms. (iPhone infections were reported at less than 1 percent.)
Cyber criminals have effectively taken advantage of the anxiety surrounding COVID-19. Phishing campaigns that deliver malware directly to users by exploiting COVID-19 news reports and trending medical updates are a major tool for criminals. Malicious websites designed to emulate the pandemic tracking programs at major health sites like the World Health Organization and John Hopkins University are another tactic. Remote access Trojan software embedded in these seemingly legitimate public health updates can be downloaded onto a PC, enabling constant updates of malware programs and plugins. If the malicious program detects a network connection, it can then try to spread the malware or spyware program, steal more data, and continue growing its criminal network — all while producing more fake COVID-19 growth reports.
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