(Photo: ACSC)
April 21, 2020
Scammers are finding easy prey at the moment with more and more people relying on mobile devices to keep in touch during social isolation.
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has warned that criminals are targeting Australians through a range of COVID-19 themed scams, fraud attempts and deceptive email schemes.
Since March 10, the ACSC has received more than 95 reports about people losing money or personal information to COVID-19 scams and online frauds.
It has also disrupted more than 150 malicious COVID-19 themed websites, with assistance from Australia’s major telecommunications providers as well as Google and Microsoft.
ACSC head Abigail Bradshaw said the ACSC had observed malicious foreign cyber actors adapting their techniques and aligning their malicious activities within days – sometimes even hours – of government announcements such as relief payments or public health guidance.
“The Australian Cyber Security Centre is focused on protecting Australian families and businesses against cyber scams and compromises during the COVID-19 pandemic, and helping them to stay safe online,” Ms Bradshaw said.
“The Australian Signals Directorate has also used its offensive cyber capabilities to disrupt foreign cybercriminals responsible for malicious cyber activities exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic. We have stopped them from accessing their own systems and prevented them from accessing information they stole.”
“I encourage all Australians to remain vigilant against the threat of cybercrime, and check our advisories at cyber.gov.au so you know what to look for and what to do,” Ms Bradshaw said.
- External link: Threat update: COVID-19 malicious cyber activity
