COVID-related Cyberattacks are on a rise. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed virtually every aspect of our lives. The way we travel, entertain ourselves, conduct business and interact with others have all been altered at a very fundamental level.
Recommended: Crystal Gaze 2021: Predictions From Ashley Kramer, Chief Product And Marketing…
The ambient anxiety created by the pandemic is also palpable. After more than nine months of living with COVID, many people are still plagued by fear, uncertainty, and doubt.
Unfortunately, malicious people have long preyed on others by exploiting those three feelings. In fact, they’ve even created an acronym for it: FUD. A disinformation strategy often used in politics, business, propaganda and cybercrime, FUD aims to influence perceptions or prompt a desired action based on false information or an appeal to fear. Sadly, it often proves highly effective.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how FUD is being used in the context of COVID-19 — and what smart organizations can do to mitigate the risk.
The Challenges of Cybersecurity in an Uncertain World
Fear and uncertainty related to COVID-19 in our daily lives led to behavior with little recent precedent. Toilet paper and hand sanitizer being out of stock for months due to panic buying was a typical manifestation of fear — as was the sight of people jogging outside in masks or wiping groceries with bleach.
Read Also: Continual Modernization Programs are Key to IT Success
These changes extended into our workspaces as well, as the emergence of COVID-19 created a plethora of challenges for information security. First, defenders must cope with a greatly expanded attack surface. The pandemic has unleashed a flood of new employees who are working from home. Many of these employees have little to no experience with basic IT safety protocols for telecommuting.
Currently, the defenders also have limited control over virtual IT environments. The challenge of securing trade secrets, financial data, and other crown jewel assets has become more acute. The number of cyberattacks have also increased, as Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) and other adversaries try to capitalize on fear, uncertainty, and doubt.
In recent months, we’ve noted a spike in COVID-19-themed phishing attacks and an increase in COVID-19-associated domain registrations, as malicious actors seek to exploit the public fear and curiosity.
There has also been more malware propagated (including AzoRult, Emotet, Trickbot, CoViper, NetWalker and Thanos) using COVID-19-related tactics. Typically, we’ve seen these efforts being led by the same actors employing the same activity, payloads and malware, yet adding a new layer of social engineering that is specifically targeted to leverage fear of COVID.
In terms of sophisticated state-sponsored attacks and cyber espionage, we’ve also seen the same culprits: APT41, APT28, and APT36 are all using COVID to exploit and increase the frequency of their attacks. In fact, APT29 has targeted COVID researchers in an effort to steal vaccine data, while the World Health Organization was targeted by the DarkHotel APT.
This raises an important question: What can enterprises and individuals do to avoid being compromised by these attacks?
Blockchain News: Blockchain Brings New Level of Trust to Agriculture
Actionable Steps to Defend Against FUD-Based Attacks
First, it’s important to stay calm and focus on the basics. Return to fundamentals, double down on IT hygiene and follow the best practices for securing environments. You should identify the root causes of issues that can be exploited by attackers and then shore up major gaps.
What does this mean in practical terms? Enterprises should immediately consider doing the following:
- Determine criticality in any new remote environments
- Enforce VPNs or use a zero-trust model
- Harden endpoints
- Disallow shadow IT
- Remediate any problems immediately to block the kill chain
- Use multifactor authentication
- Secure privileged accounts and follow the principle of least privilege
Individuals, meanwhile, should ensure OS updates are installed, use VPNs, ensure browsers are updated, disconnect work devices when not in use. When in doubt, avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails. Instead, manually type in the URL / web address to access a given website.
Four More Key Factors
When dealing with FUD-based attacks, defenders should strive for success through objectivity. Machines do not suffer from fear or uncertainty, unlike humans.
Automating manual processes is important, as it can profoundly reduce opportunities for attackers to leverage human error.
Using technology products and services that can be deployed remotely helps enterprises stay safe in the current climate.
Finally, continuous risk monitoring is critically important, given the sharp upward trend we’ve observed in FUD-related attacks. Using the right technology that aligns to these factors can assist in successfully protecting your enterprise.
How to Manage COVID-related Cyberattacks: Risk and Enable Continuous Security Posture Improvement
Organizations need an attacker-based vulnerability management solution that is fully remote and provides continuous security posture management. By launching automated and continuous attack simulations, they are able to preemptively identify attack vectors and gain deep visibility into their environments. Once security gaps are identified, prioritized remediation guidance is needed to fix the most important issues in your environment.
Sikti sikiyo porno videos telefona çekilmiş türk sikiş izle am pornolari çok güzel kız sikiyor hizmetciye zorla sikiş filmi.
Japon Asyalı Seks; Kısa Porno; Konulu S**; Lezbiyen Porno;
Liseli Porno; Masaj S**; Masturbasyon; Porno Star; RealityKings; Sakso Videoları; Sekreter Pornosu; Türk Porno; Üniversiteli Porno;
Yaşlı.
Hey very nice blog!
If you want to take a great deal from this article then you have to apply these methods
to your won web site.
Hi there to all, it’s really a fastidious for me to
visit this site, it contains priceless Information.
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you have hit
the nail on the head. The issue is something that not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about.
I’m very happy I found this in my hunt for something relating to this.
Just want to say your article is as surprising.
The clarity in your post is just excellent and i can assume
you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep
up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and
please keep up the rewarding work.
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The words in your article seem to be running off the screen in Ie.
I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I
figured I’d post to let you know. The design and style look great though!
Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Many thanks
These are genuinely great ideas in on the topic of blogging.
You have touched some pleasant things here. Any way
keep up wrinting.
It’s awesome designed for me to have a web site, which
is useful for my know-how. thanks admin
Hello There. I discovered your weblog using msn. This is an extremely smartly written article.
I will be sure to bookmark it and come back
to learn extra of your helpful info. Thanks for the
post. I will definitely return.
Good day! I just want to give you a big thumbs up for the excellent information you have right here on this post.
I’ll be returning to your web site for more soon.
Scrap Copper wire prices Copper scrap purification processes Metal reclaiming yard
Copper cable scrap sorting, Metal waste recycling services, Scrap Copper value
Very nice article, exactly what I wanted to find.
I am blonde cam girls and wild like tigress but sweet like a kitten!
medicamentos a precio competitivo en Chile Nihon Menin (Menen) Comprar comprimidos de medicamentos en línea
achat de médicaments à Québec Basi Arnhem Bestel medicijnen eenvoudig online
acheter des tablettes au royaume-uni Marcan Ourense infórmate sobre los precios de
medicamentos en São Paulo
medicamentos para comprar en farmacia Nipro Villa del Rosario farmaci disponibile senza ricetta a Parigi
medicijnen kopen tegen lage kosten Gedeon Richter Uster acheter des médicaments
en ligne
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end
or if it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
médicaments pour une solution sûre et efficace Tarbis Palermo Comparer les
prix des marques de médicaments en ligne
интервальное голодание 16/8, интервальное голодание 16/8 расписание по
времени кейіпкерге хат қорқыт ата,
кейипкерге хат коркыт ата жаңа зеландия
қызықты мәліметтер, жаңа зеландия карта факультет международных отношений ену, ену
международные отношения проходной балл
тәуелсіздік тұғырым жоспар, тәуелсіздік тұғырым
тәрбие сағаты 1 сынып атрофические рубцы постакне, лечение атрофических рубцов эдафикалық фактор, абиотикалық факторлардың тірі ағзаларға әсері ортаңғы құлақ, сыртқы құлақ қызметі
Farmacia online para comprar medicamentos en Perú Stada Berne precio de medicamentos sin receta en Ciudad de
México
Play for free and dive into an adventure like no other! Lodibet
түр түзілу механизмі презентация, түрдің таралу
ареалының кеңеюі круиз по азии, круизы из астаны цены түсіңде
қазан көрсең не болады, түс жору орамал көрсе не болады көз неге
тартады, оң көз тартса
заговор белой магии на деньги на растущую луну великие люди рожденные в декабре к чему снится напилась пьяная
молитва чтобы месячные были не обильные сонник пластическая операция на
лице, к чему снится пластическая операция
на грудь
домбыра үйірмесіне шақыру, домбыра үйірмесі шымкент газовые
котлы navien алматы в рассрочку, навьен газовый котел инструкция вакууматор борк, bork утюг стипендия за курсы от центра занятости, бесплатные
курсы от государства
ілияс жансүгіров өлеңдері 4 шумақ, ілияс жансүгіров өлеңдері ой балалар
нәби аймұратов әндері скачать, гүлім гүлім гүлімсің скачать текст олх шины,
олх шины бу алматы ән анамның ақ жаулығы, жазира байырбекова анамның ақ жаулығы текст
каспи логистик контакты, как
узнать номер курьера каспи фудмастер
контакты, фудмастер семей контакты қазақстан білім деңгейі, қазақстандағы
білім беру жүйесі статистика спецтехника колеса, колеса
кз спецтехника
вещие сны снятся среды четверг молитвы в геншине импакт крипторхизм
у мужа, крипторхизм у взрослых последствия
что означает имя райхона,
рейхан значение имени что означают арабские числа
buy paxlovid online: paxlovid price – paxlovid covid
1хбет: 1хставка – 1xbet зеркало
https://1winindia.tech/# пинап казино
пинап кз
1xbet: 1xbet зеркало – 1хбет
пинап казино: пинап казино – пин ап
https://1winindia.tech/# пин ап
пин ап кз
пин ап казино: пин ап кз – пинап кз
en iyi c***** siteleri [url=https://1wintr.fun/#]canl? c***** siteleri[/url] cazino
c***** siteleri: guvenilir c***** siteleri – c***** sitesi
https://1winci.icu/# пин ап официальный сайт
pin up kz
guvenilir c***** siteleri: cazino – slot c***** siteleri
slot c***** siteleri: dunyan?n en iyi c***** siteleri – c***** oyunlar?
пин ап вход: пинап зеркало – пин ап официальный сайт
купить авто у дилера в казахстане, цены
на новые авто в казахстане мақала мысал, ғылыми мақала мысал дачи в рассрочку
в алматы, дешевые дачи ұлттық қауіпсіздік комитеті төрағасы, ұлттық қауіпсіздік комитеті 30 жыл
https://1winrussia.online/# 1хбет
пинап кз
c***** oyunlar?: dunyan?n en iyi c***** siteleri – canl? c*****
пинап зеркало: пин ап вход – пин ап официальный сайт
guvenilir c***** siteleri [url=https://1wintr.fun/#]c***** siteleri[/url] cazino
пин ап официальный сайт: пин ап вход – пинап зеркало
пин ап: pin up kz – пин ап
guvenilir c***** siteleri: canl? c***** siteleri – c***** oyunlar?
пин ап казино вход: пин ап – пинап
canl? c*****: cazino – c***** oyunlar?
pin-up [url=http://1winbrasil.win/#]pin up c*****[/url] pin up 306
https://1winrussia.online/# 1xbet официальный сайт
пин ап казино вход
пинап зеркало: пинап зеркало – пин ап
mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs [url=http://mexicanpharm1st.com/#]buying from online mexican pharmacy[/url] mexico drug stores pharmacies
vacuum pump for ed: errection problems – drug store online
http://drugs1st.store/# natural ed c****
purple pharmacy mexico price list: mexican drugstore online – mexico pharmacies prescription drugs
https://indianpharm1st.com/# world pharmacy india
medicine in mexico pharmacies: mexico drug stores pharmacies – mexican pharmaceuticals online
ed medicine [url=https://drugs1st.store/#]treatment for ed[/url] reasons for ed
п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india: buy medicines online in india – indian pharmacy paypal
indianpharmacy com: п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india – п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india
mexican pharmaceuticals online [url=http://mexicanpharm1st.com/#]medicine in mexico pharmacies[/url] medicine in mexico pharmacies
herbal ed remedies: buy prescription drugs without doctor – ed pills that work quickly
Пин Ап Казахстан: пин ап 634 – Пин Ап Казахстан
pin up [url=http://pinup-az.bid/#]pinup az[/url] pinup az
sweet bonanza: sweet bonanza – sweet bonanza oyna
https://pinupzerkalo.fun/# пинап казино
http://pinup-az.bid/# pin up 306
pin up zerkalo
sweet bonanza nas?l oynan?r [url=http://sweetbonanzatr.pro/#]sweet bonanza nas?l oynan?r[/url] sweet bonanza nas?l oynan?r
https://biznes-fabrika.kz/# пин ап казино онлайн
pin up c*****
pin up kz: пин ап казино онлайн – пины
пины: пинап – пинап
пин ап 634 [url=http://biznes-fabrika.kz/#]Пин Ап Казахстан[/url] пин ап казино онлайн
https://sweetbonanzatr.pro/# sweet bonanza oyna
pin up zerkalo
sweet bonanza nas?l oynan?r: sweet bonanza – sweet bonanza
Пин Ап Казахстан: pin up kz – пинап
sweet bonanza oyna: sweet bonanza – sweet bonanza nas?l oynan?r
http://pinup-az.bid/# pinup az
pin up win
pinup az: pin up c***** – pin up
http://biznes-fabrika.kz/# пин ап 634
pin up win
пинап казино: Официальный Сайт – Официальный Сайт
вакансии в барнауле удаленно на дому
авито работа в губкине подработка подработка ночные
смены серпухов работа удаленно на природе
пин ап казино: пинап – пинап
pin up zerkalo [url=http://pinupzerkalo.fun/#]Пин Ап Казино Официальный Сайт в России[/url] пин ап зеркало
шумные работы в жилом доме закон
новосибирск время для ремонтных работ в многоквартирных домах кто делает работу по дому плановые ремонтные работы домов
amoxil price: cheap – Compare Prices
http://amoxil1st.shop/# top-rated pills
buy amoxil online: amoxil price – amoxil price
https://paxlovid1st.store/# See risks
find bets price: stromectol b********* – good price
Rybelsus: semaglutide online – semaglutide
http://stromectol1st.store/# cheapest
licensed gabapentin: involves multisystem – gabapentin pro
find bets price: stromectol store – cheapest
Visit store: paxlovid price – paxlovid store
https://amoxil1st.shop/# Compare Prices
https://stromectol1st.store/# good price
stromectol delivery usa: good price – stromectol b*********
indianpharmacy com: Best Indian pharmacy – pharmacy website india
Online medicine home delivery [url=http://indianpharm24.pro/#]Best Indian pharmacy[/url] cheapest online pharmacy india
mexico drug stores pharmacies: mexico pharmacy cheap – buying prescription drugs in mexico online
https://pharm24.pro/# erectile dysfunction medications
erectile dysfunction treatment
pharmacy website india [url=https://indianpharm24.pro/#]Best online Indian pharmacy[/url] indian pharmacies safe
natural ed treatments: cheaper medications – best online drugstore
buying prescription drugs in mexico online: Legit online Mexican pharmacy – mexican rx online
erectile dysfunction pills [url=http://pharm24.pro/#]cheap pharmacy online[/url] natural cure for ed
https://indianpharm24.pro/# pharmacy website india
best ed pills at gnc
cheap ed pills: cheap pharmacy online – canadian drugstore online
п»їbest mexican online pharmacies: mexico pharmacy cheap – buying prescription drugs in mexico online
prescription without a doctor’s prescription http://indianpharm24.pro/# indianpharmacy com
buy prescription drugs from india: indian pharm 24 – indian pharmacy online
mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs [url=http://mexicanpharm24.cheap/#]Mexican pharmacy ship US[/url] buying prescription drugs in mexico
ed meds online without doctor prescription https://indianpharm24.pro/# top online pharmacy india
http://indianpharm24.pro/# Online medicine home delivery
canadian medications
errection problems: cheap meds – can ed be reversed
п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india: indian pharmacy purchase online – indian pharmacy paypal
india online pharmacy: Indian pharmacy online – indian pharmacies safe
mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs: Mexican pharmacy ship US – mexican mail order pharmacies
https://pharm24.pro/# medication drugs
ed natural remedies
india pharmacy: medicines from India – online shopping pharmacy india
http://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa
natural ed treatments
deneme bonusu veren siteler denemebonusu2026.com https://denemebonusuverensiteler.top/# deneme bonusu veren siteler betturkey
ultrabet giris: ultrabet – ultrabet guncel
c***** siteleri win: C***** Siteleri – C***** Siteleri
deneme bonusu veren siteler yerliarama.org https://matadorbet.bid/# matadorbet.bid
ultrabet yeni giris 1125: ultrabet giris – ultrabet yeni giris 1125
slot tr online: en kazancl? slot oyunlar? – en kazancl? slot oyunlar?
deneme bonusu veren siteler yeni http://casinositeleri.win/# c***** siteleri win
ultrabet guncel: ultrabet tr online – ultrabet yeni giris 1125
ultrabet yeni giris 1125 [url=https://ultrabet-tr.online/#]ultrabet[/url] ultrabet giris
ultrabet tr online: ultrabet yeni giris 1125 – ultrabet bonus
matadorbet bid: matadorbet.bid – matadorbet bid
deneme bonusu veren siteler yerliarama.org https://matadorbet.bid/# matadorbet bid
ultrabet guncel: ultrabet guncel – ultrabet tr online
ultrabet [url=https://ultrabet-tr.online/#]ultrabet yeni giris 1125[/url] ultrabet bonus
deneme bonusu veren siteler: deneme bonusu veren siteler 2024 – deneme bonusu veren siteler yerliarama.org
https://erepharm.com/# cheapest ed pills ere pharm
https://gabapharm.com/# buy gabapentin
Buy gabapentin for humans: cheapest Gabapentin GabaPharm – cheapest Gabapentin GabaPharm
gabapentin GabaPharm [url=http://gabapharm.com/#]buy gabapentin[/url] buy gabapentin india
https://gabapharm.com/# gabapentin
http://gabapharm.com/# Buy gabapentin for humans
buy rybelsus rybpharm: rybpharm canada – buy rybelsus rybpharm
http://gabapharm.com/# buy gabapentin online
cheapest Kamagra Kam Pharm [url=https://kampharm.shop/#]kamagra oral jelly[/url] buy kamagra oral jelly Kam Pharm
http://erepharm.com/# erepharm pills
kam pharm shop: kamagra – kampharm.shop
GabaPharm: buy gabapentin india – buy gabapentin india
http://kampharm.shop/# Kam Pharm
Kam Pharm: kampharm shop – kam pharm shop
https://rybpharm.com/# buy rybelsus canada
buy rybelsus online usa [url=https://rybpharm.com/#]semaglutide[/url] semaglutide
http://erepharm.com/# erepharm pills
https://gabapharm.com/# GabaPharm
Kam Pharm [url=http://kampharm.shop/#]Kamagra Kam Pharm[/url] buy kamagra oral jelly Kam Pharm
http://canadiandrugsgate.com/# prescription drugs without doctor approval
buy anti biotics without prescription: Canadian pharmacy best prices – buy ed pills online
male dysfunction pills: canadian pharmacy drugs gate – pharmacy online
world pharmacy india [url=http://indianpharmacyeasy.com/#]Online Indian pharmacy[/url] pharmacy website india
http://mexicanpharmgate.com/# pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
ed medication: canadian pharmacy – causes for ed
medication from mexico pharmacy [url=https://mexicanpharmgate.com/#]Mexican Pharm Gate[/url] mexican mail order pharmacies
buy medicines online in india: Best Indian pharmacy – india pharmacy
http://indianpharmacyeasy.com/# world pharmacy india
pharmacy website india: indian pharmacy easy – top 10 online pharmacy in india
top 10 online pharmacy in india [url=https://indianpharmacyeasy.com/#]Indian pharmacy international shipping[/url] indian pharmacy
mexican mail order pharmacies: mexican pharmacy online – reputable mexican pharmacies online
http://mexicanpharmgate.com/# mexican rx online
buy ed pills online [url=http://canadiandrugsgate.com/#]Canada pharmacy[/url] ed meds online
best online pharmacies in mexico: mexicanpharmgate.com – buying prescription drugs in mexico
natural pills for ed: Canadian pharmacy best prices – best ed medication
buy priligy: priligy max pharm – priligy
order generic clomid pill [url=http://clomidrexpharm.com/#]how to buy generic clomid without rx[/url] can you get cheap clomid
buy dapoxetine online: Priligy tablets – priligy max pharm
amoxicillin 500 mg for sale http://prednisoneraypharm.com/# prednisone otc uk
buy dapoxetine online: max pharm – dapoxetine price
priligy max pharm [url=https://priligymaxpharm.com/#]priligy maxpharm[/url] priligy max pharm
buying amoxicillin online http://priligymaxpharm.com/# priligy max pharm
can i purchase clomid tablets: rex pharm – clomid no prescription
order clomid: clomid online – how can i get clomid price
amoxicillin 500mg pill: Amoxicillin buy online – order amoxicillin uk
prednisone 20mg buy online: generic Prednisone – prednisone price south africa
can i buy cheap clomid tablets: rex pharm – get generic clomid tablets
where to buy cheap clomid: buy clomid – where buy cheap clomid pill
how can i get cheap clomid without insurance: can you get generic clomid without insurance – can i purchase clomid
where to get clomid prices: clomid online – how can i get clomid without insurance
farmacia en línea en Chile que vende medicamentos Galena Tours Wo kann man Medikamente legal kaufen
http://lisinopril1st.com/# buy Lisinopril online
ivermectin humans [url=http://iverfast.com/#]cheapest Ivermectin[/url] minocycline interactions
buy cytotec pills: cyt premium – cytotec abortion pill