Stay safe.. Stay Home .. Stay safe Online - Covid19 and Cybercrime

 Whole world is facing horrible pandemic now a days due to Covid19.  Including US, India, European countries are trying to control the situation by implementing full forced action to reduce the impact and save lives.  When I am writing this, vaccine has been invented and countries are sharing various resources and helping each other by most possible way. 

Along with this pandemic we have seen ample amount of humanity and compassion. People, Government, NGOs have tried to help to the needy. Donations of millions, help in infrastructure, medicine, vaccine, food etc shared on voluntary basis. Government is conducting huge vaccination drive and sharing all possible resources in the country. 

However, there is an old relation between angels and deamons. Along with this huge wave of humanity there are many fraudsters taking advantage of the situation. They try to trick the helpless individual using various ways to commit the fraud. Into this article we will disclose few frauds and learn to stay safe not just by staying home but online as well. 

Scam1- Social Media Scam

Cybercriminals are after your social media accounts to get relevant information. If you are posting regards to your need along with your contact number, email ID, address or any relevant Personal information. STOP. There is possibility that very unknown person get that post and pretend as helping buddy or goverment authority assuring for help. In revert they will ask for some processing fees. Take a step back before sharing or paying for something. Your panic and hastiness will make you more vulnerable. 

Scam 2 - Vaccine scam

There are malicious links over the internet people passing on whatsapp or facebook. Usually there are some fake apps they are trying to share with you and get your data from your phone. once you install this fake app, it will ask for lot of permissions in your phone. In the hurry, if you allow everything, in that case you are under threat. 

Therefore, use only offical apps and links for ex. Arogya setu app etc. Check what permission required to the app. 

Scam 3 - Fake tests

Cybercriminals are also targeting elders or senior citizens by impersonating fake government authority and asks for some medical tests sometimes even free. After free checkup hey demand for some relevant charges for fake processsing fees, fake medicines and of course their medical data. 

Scam 4 - Job Alerts

Nowadays linkedin is full the posts where people asking for job which is quite helpful resource. However Due to the pandemic thousands of jobs are gone and unemployment is on its peak. There are so many individuals seeking for job to feed their families. Cybercriminals take the advantage of this situation and posts fake job offers or surveys, part time, work from home etc. They will call the job seeker and get some amount of money on the name of registration and processing fees. 

Scam 5- Loan offers

Everyone needs money and we all have seen how important is the money while rushing towards medical facilities on each and every phase during the hospitalization, medical supplies and so on. Many of us has spend all their money to save himself or for the loved one. With very little effort, cybercriminals will find out data from banks or any similar sources and start work. With their rhetoric script they try to call the needy person. Now they will ask for some processing charges, resume and many personal details like adhaar card, pan card in some case and they get vanished in the dark. This double attack can convert in the jolt for a victim.  

Bonus - Travel agency fraud

Many people are frustrated due to this pandemic and want to go out to relax and rejoice. With name of atractive discount, Cybercriminal contact the victims and offers alluring tour packages. They asks some part of amount in advance and then get dissapeard with pretext of Covid-19 and never share refund.

How to stay protected ?

• Do not share any personal identifiable data over the social media like contact numbers, Adhaar card  details, family details etc.
• Do not post any documents like medical reports, Vaccination certificate etc. 
• Be suspicious if there is any unknown person offering free medical supplies in return of your documents. 
• Do not donate on any unknown NGOs as most of are illegal, not registered and sprouted overnight.
• Do not click on any unknown hyperlink pretending as covid-19 help or vaccination etc. 
• Consult your family doctor or contact help department for any relevant query before pay anywhere for vaccine or medical supplies. 
• Check for website URL before click and always refer government official website in case of any query
• Check your phone or system if any unwanted application is installed , remove it or use antivirus software to remove it.
• If you are working from home, stay aware of acceptable use of system and follow information security guidelines from the organization. 
• Spread awareness against these frauds to friends and family members. 

Stay safe.. Stay aware.