On March 25, DCP of the Delhi Police Department’s Cybercrime Department, released a list of possible “dangerous” websites that exploit interest and panic around the coronavirus. The list has 13 websites such as the coronavirusstatus space. Coronavirus-map.com and blogcoronacl.canalcero.digital, among others.
DCP did not elaborate on the threats and concerns with the website, although it may be a case of malware and phishing as seen on previous bogus coronavirus-related websites.
Following domains are listed as potentially dangerous domains, please don’t open them:-
coronavirusstatus[.]space
coronavirus-map[.]com
blogcoronacl.canalcero[.]digital
coronavirus[.]zone
coronavirus-realtime[.]com
coronavirus[.]app
bgvfr.coronavirusaware[.]xyz
(1/2)#StaySafe— DCP Cybercrime (@DCP_CCC_Delhi) March 25, 2020
However, the department did share a CNN story, highlighting that cybercriminals are trying to capitalize on the coronavirus pandemic. Cybercriminals are reportedly exploiting the coronavirus scare by trying to hack people’s emails, social media, and bank accounts.
Cyber security intelligence firm FireEye noted that hackers have turned to emails proposing to provide additional information about the coronavirus. These phishing attempts have been designed to trick people into giving up their passwords.
Ben Read, senior manager at FireEye, explained that hackers and scammers try to exploit all the current crises, events and issues, but it is always the same tactic with a different coat of paint. “If you receive an email that appears to be from the WHO (World Health Organization) and you normally don’t receive emails from the WHO, you need to be careful,” Read said.
India has been the second country most affected by cyber attacks between 2016 and 2018, according to the report of the Data Security Council of India (DSCI). The report noted that the average cost per data breach (in India) has increased by 7.9% since 2017. Currently, the average cost per breached record is increasing to INR 4,552 ($ 64).
