Cybercrime on the rise during COVID-19 pandemic

onPlatinum has seen an increase in attackers targeting the growing number of people working from home and working on shared home computers…

Posted on: April 28th, 2020 onPlatinum

onPlatinum has seen an increase in attackers targeting the growing number of people working from home and working on shared home computers with their families. And we’re not alone, with both the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) receiving widespread reports COVID-19 scams targeting individuals and businesses. Here’s what you need to keep an eye out for and how you can keep your family and your business safe.

What to look out for

According to the ACSC, the scams currently circulating include:

  • SMS phishing scam messages with a link offering where to get tested for COVID-19. Messages appear under the same conversation threads as previous official SMS messages from myGov.
  • Phishing emails impersonating Australia Post, tricking people into visiting and website that will steal your personal and financial information
  • Phishing emails pretending to be a well-known international health organisation, prompting you to click on a link to access information about new cases
  • Phishing emails containing malicious attachments, prompting you to open the attachment for advice on safety measures, which gives the scammer ongoing access to your device.
  • COVID-19 relief payment phishing emails offering financial assistance and contain attachments that ask for personal information and may download malicious software to your device.

For more information on these scams, head to the ACSC website.

How to keep safe

Keeping your family, your business and yourself safe is the top priority during this difficult time. Here are a few ways to keep safe from COVID-19 scams.

  1. Read any SMS messages or emails carefully and keep an eye out for information that looks incorrect, such as the sender, spelling, and hyperlinks. Click here for more ways to spot a scam email. If you are still unsure, call the organisation on their official number to confirm if it is legitimate.
  2. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – with MFA your accounts will still be protected by a second factor of authentication, even if passwords are compromised through a phishing attack.
  3. Work From Home Risk Assessment – to help you manage your security risks during COVID-19, onPlatinum is offering a complimentary Risk Assessment.
  4. With children and young people online to connect with friends, family and to access learning, the Australian Government’s eSafety website is a great resource to help families navigate their online adventure together safely.

For further help protecting your business, please contact the team at onPlatinum.

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