Phishing in a Pandemic

Cybercriminals are smart, they are professionals in what they do and know how to take advantage of an opportunity, like a pandemic. The Microsoft Threat Protection Intelligence Team has recently published a report on how scammers have used the COVID-19 pandemic to increase phishing attacks.

According to the report, they observed the biggest spike in pandemic-related attacks in the first two weeks of March. The report found that the timing of the attacks is correlated to major news stories to capitalize on the fear of the public. For example, there have been many attacks in the last few weeks as fears of a second wave of cases grow in the United States.

“Cybercriminals are adaptable and always looking for the best and easiest ways to gain new victims.” the researchers mention.  Updated cybersecurity programs and updated employee training can help protect your business from cybercriminals.

The figure on the right is from the Microsoft report: Exploiting a crisis shows the frequency of pandemic themed attacks in the United States and how they jumped during major events. This chart is very similar to the global trend as well.

With todays increased risk of a phishing scam it is important to have cyber security that will protect your network and information immediately when faced with a threat. Your business has a greater chance now than ever to be targeted for a phishing scam or worse. Ostra Cybersecurity provides active defense protection for your businesses’ data and acts immediately instead of monitoring and alerting like many anti-viruses do.

Want to find out more? Contact us today!

 

Schools Facing an Increase in Cyberthreats

Every year, technology becomes a larger part of the classroom in the U.S. school system. With that comes a greater risk of cyber-threats, especially without the cyber-security training that most schools lack.

There has never been a more important time for school districts to upgrade their cybersecurity program. In 2019 alone there were 3 times as many attacks on US schools and districts than in 2018. That is a scary statistic once you realize that in 2019, only a few schools operated remotely which largely increases the risk of a cyberattack.

Now it is 2020, schools have moved online, many completely unprepared without a full-time cybersecurity program or expert to help defend against cyberthreats.

The FBI has recently published a public service announcement about how cyberattackers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to exploit the increased use of remote learning environments.

Many cyberattacks on schools start with a phishing plot deployed by the attackers. Where they attempt to scam employees into either giving them sensitive and private information or installing malware through attachments/downloads. It is important for schools to provide in-depth training to keep their employees prepared

How schools can improve their cyber-security for 2020

Some schools have announced in-person classes for the fall semester; however, many schools and students are still uncertain what their future holds. Without a doubt, there will be a lot of schools continuing their remote learning program.

As long as schools are continuing remote work, the threat of an attack only grows. Schools need a cybersecurity program with active defense that responds immediately to threats. A program that can provide insurance against human error, like falling for a phishing scam.

Ostra Cybersecurity provides active defense for businesses and schools by protecting staff AND student access to the internet whether at home or at school

Want to find out more? Contact us today!

Smaller Companies are Bigger Targets for Cybercriminals

It is a common misbelief that cybercriminals primarily pursue high-profile targets like airlines, car manufacturers, or hospitals. However, the media only reports the attacks that will create a lot of attention and make a good headline while ignoring the attacks on smaller operations.

Analysts who have been documenting cybercriminals during the pandemic say that “they are hitting lesser-known targets harder, especially those closely linked with big, influential companies”. By targeting smaller businesses, hackers aim to disrupt the operations of other companies related to where the actual hack took place. Small businesses with many clients are the most vulnerable for ransomware attacks. Because when an attack happens, the victim’s business is under a lot more pressure from its clients. This will increase the odds that the cybercriminals get their money while creating downtime that will cost the victim more than the ransom payment alone.

More than 60% of ransomware attacks in 2019 targeted small/medium-sized businesses

It is more important now than ever for smaller businesses to protect themselves with the same level of cybersecurity as the big businesses. Ostra Cyber Security offers a Fortune 100 caliber solution, that is simple to deploy and use whether you’re 20 people or 2000.

Want to find out more? Contact us today!

 

If you think your business is safe from cyber-attacks, think again. The company that makes your car just fell victim to one.

Honda, one of the top global car manufacturers, has just experienced a cyber attack on its global operations. More specifically a file-encrypting ransomware attack, which was made to encrypt files and demand a ransom. This caused Honda to temporarily shut down production facilities as well as their financial services and customer service operations. However, there was no reported evidence to show a loss or theft of personal identifiable information. This temporary network shut down, which lasted for a couple of days, resulted in the loss of important business and profits in a time where most companies rely on online traffic.

It is not a coincidence that this cyber-attack occurred during this time when most employees are working from home. A CEO of a nationally recognized cybersecurity platform said that “The coronavirus pandemic has created a sizable remote workforce which has increased businesses’ attack surfaces and heightened existing vulnerabilities”. With today’s increased risk of a cyber-attack, it is important to have cybersecurity that will protect your network and information immediately when faced with a threat. Ostra Cyber Security provides active defense protection for your businesses’ data and acts immediately instead of monitoring and alerting as many antiviruses do. If it can happen to Honda, it could happen to you.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2020/06/10/honda-hacked-japanese-car-giant-confirms-cyber-attack-on-global-operations-snake-ransomware/#164c706853ad

Want to find out more? Contact us today at protection@ostra.net