Recently, a security researcher pointed out how hackers were using coronavirus dashboards for malware injection to dig a user’s data and steal its personal information.
The pandemic has been all over the news, people from around the world are constantly hooked to find information about it on their screens. Be it to learn more about the disease, its prevention, symptoms or statistics – content related to coronavirus, sells.
Shai Alfasi, a security researcher at Reason Labs figured out that Coronavirus dashboards were used not only to provide information related to the pandemic but was also sucking out data.
Hackers are now in a position to steal personal empirical data such as passwords, account details, card details, and much more sensitive information most people have stored on their browsers. Shai even stated how the notorious parties are currently targeting Windows devices only but in no time can learn attacking other devices as well.
It has been recorded that malicious programmers are using AzoRult to steal users’ data. The malware was first discovered in 2016 as an information theft tool that is used to steal browsing history, cookies, IDs, passwords, etc. It was sold on Russian underground forums to collect various types of sensitive information from an infected computer. But not just this, the malware is now advanced to even pull out cryptocurrency-related information such as wallets IDs, passwords, private keys [if saved] and a lot more!
All of us go through articles and online content on trustworthy as well s untrustworthy sites. SOme store our information and some make us feel like they don’t. Nevertheless, at such vulnerable precedented times, it’s vital to keep our selves safe not just physically but even digitally.
In such situations, precautions and digital data security is important. Here’s a list of things you can do to maintain your personal digital security:-
- Backup your IDs, passwords and wallet details offline.
- Erase your cache, personal data storage, passwords, etc from your browsers.
- If you notice a device you own is responding slower than usual or you’re experiencing persistent pop-up messages, spam, or malfunctions, your device may be infected with malware. In such a situation reset your device, check if your wallet has been compromised and install anti-virus/ malware software.
- Keep 90% of your crypto offline in cold wallets.
- Keep only 10% or less of your crypto in hot wallets if you need liquidity in hand.
- Don’t visit unpopular, shady sites for information related to the pandemic. Stick to government forums or popular secured sites.
- Run regular scans on your computer to detect any malware.
- ‘Secure’ your network, and ‘think’ before you ‘click’ or ‘submit’ your details or ‘allow’ any sort of permissions.
Additionally, always check the domain you visit to avoid phishing activities. Monitor coronavirus maps closely as malicious sites function differently than originals.
Disclaimer note: This article is not a piece of investment advice. Please do your own research before investing/trading in cryptocurrencies.