Even your IT systems are susceptible to COVID-19

Current events have often been used as cover for cyberattacks, and unfortunately, COVID-19 is no different. Along with the recent uptick in coronavirus cases across the United States, we've seen an uptick in e-mail scams, ransomware, malicious domains, and other cyberattacks that use the pandemic in an attempt to compromise businesses' IT systems and employees' personal information.

Be on the alert for cyberscams

IBM researchers are credited with discovering one of the first e-mail scams tied to coronavirus, in which a cybercriminal urged recipients to download a malware-infected e-mail attachment that supposedly contained infection-prevention measures. A hoax being perpetrated in the Android app store also recently came to light. An app available at coronavirusapp[.]site claims to provide access to a map that allows real-time virus tracking. However, researchers from DomainTools say the app is laced with ransomware. Once it's installed, the ransomware will deny a victim access to his phone unless he pays a ransom in bitcoin.