Criminals are currently using fears of the corona virus to spread malware using email. These are computer viruses or Trojans. The virus is still active. The attackers apparently have contact with western intelligence services and resorted it to their espionage software. In order to get sensitive data, the perpetrators had changed the tactics. The infected emails promised information about a new strain of corona virus as well as protective measures, messages on the subject and instructions on how to identify an infection.
Software Can Destroy Data
Users should beware of emails or documents that are said to provide information about the corona virus or to provide general information about the dangers of viruses. Because the documents actually contain Trojans. They are able to destroy, encrypt, change or copy data, as well as disrupt the operation of computers or computer networks.
Do Not Open Files
According to Kaspersky, the malicious documents have the file extensions of .pdf, .mp4 or .docx. If you want to avoid malware on your computer, you should generally avoid links from unsolicited messages or load unknown files onto your computer. Security experts are already observing various campaigns that are trying to exploit the fear of the population. In Japan, experts from IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence have observed a spam campaign for the corona virus. Urgent protective measures against infection were sent in the emails on behalf of a social service provider. The recommendations for action were attached in a Word document that can use VBA macros to install dangerous Emotet Trojans. Security experts recommend that you only obtain information from official, trustworthy sources. You should not click suspicious links and also be very careful with e-mails from supposedly official sources. Attachments should only be opened by known contacts and then only after being checked by an antivirus software. Attachments in .EXE or .LNK format should not be opened.
