Hackers capitalising on COVID-19 to launch cyberattacks, Vietnam's MPS warns

The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) warned Vietnamese internet users to "click" with cautions as hackers launch cyberattack campaign against agencies and organizations by spreading malware via emails with coronavirus-related information.
March 20, 2020 | 10:20
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The properties of the malware containing file (Photo: screenshot)

The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said that its department for cyber security and hi-tech crime prevention and control has discovered a Those emails contain an attached file titled “Chi Thi cua Thu tuong nguyen xuan phuc.lnk” in disguise as Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s directive on the anti-COVID-19 work.

When users download and open this file, the malware, which only runs on computers using the Windows operating systems, will be activated and more malware will infect their computers, enabling hackers to steal data and continue further attacks, according to the MPS.

It recommended internet users be wary of clicking on strange links or downloading or opening files from unknown sources.

They are also advised to install licensed antivirus softwares for their computers and security updates for operating systems and softwares. In case such suspicious files are opened, they should disconnect from the internet and liaise with cyber-security incident response teams to deal with the problem, the MPS added.

The total number of computers in Vietnam infected by various kinds of virus last year came to 85.2 million, an increase of 3.5 percent compared to 2018. It is predicted that in 2020, IoT devices like routers, Wi-Fi terminals, monitoring cameras, and terminal equipment will be the hot targets of these attacks, Bkav Cyber Security Co. reported.

The main reason for this dangerous state, as stated by Bkav, is the illegal download and installation of software from unknown websites. As a result, 8 out of 10 computers are infected after these downloads. To ensure, safety, users are advised to only download software from official sites of developers or formal software resources.

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‘Unlike Australia, the US or Europe, there’s no fights over the last roll of toilet paper here’, Sarah Clayton-Lea shared.

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