Call Us!
Sales: (604) 239-4283
|
Get Support
|
info@compunet.ca
IT Support For Vancouver Law Firms IT Services For Vancouver Law Firms Vancouver Legal IT Services
  • Managed It Services
  • Cybersecurity
  • Cloud Solutions
Close
Legal IT Support in Vancouver
  • Architecture
    • IT Management
    • Cloud Solutions
    • Software Support
    • Cybersecurity Solutions
  • Law Firms
    • Technology Management
    • Digital Transformation
    • Software Support
    • Cloud Services
    • IT Security
    • Cybersecurity Management
    • Ransomware Prevention
  • Accounting
    • Managed IT Services
    • Cloud Services
    • Ransomware Removal
    • Ransomware Protection
  • Engineering
    • Managed IT
    • Cloud
    • IT Security
    • Ransomware Removal
  • Cybersecurity Services
    • Microsoft MFA
    • Microsoft 365 Secure
    • Microsoft Office Protect
    • Network Security
    • Endpoint Protection
    • Dark Web Protection
  • About Us
    • How We Work
    • Why Choose Us
    • Case Studies
    • Our Blog
    • Is This You?
    • Five-Star Feedback
    • Careers
    • Referral Program
  • Where We Serve
    • Greater Vancouver
    • Burnaby
    • Langley
    • Surrey
    • North Vancouver
    • New Westminster
    • Richmond
  • Contact Us
    105-135 East 15th Street
    North Vancouver, BC V7L 2P7
    (604) 986-8170 info@compunet.ca
    Get Support

Alarming Increase in Technology Scams During Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic expands, so too have the cyberattacks that are targeting Canadian businesses and employees. With most work shifted to remote, at-home environs and nerves frayed, workplaces and workers have never been more vulnerable.

Start A Conversation

Alarming Increase in Technology Scams During Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic expands, so too have the cyberattacks that are targeting Canadian businesses and employees. With most work shifted to remote, at-home environs and nerves frayed, workplaces and workers have never been more vulnerable.

Technology Scams In Vancouver During COVID19

What Is the Scope of COVID-19 Cyberattacks?

Agencies at the federal and international level have been alerting businesses about the rise in scams for weeks. For example, the World Health Organization first warned of a dramatic increase in cyberattack incidents in late March. Hackers there were attempting to steal agency employee’s email credentials.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received 75 claims of COVID-9 fraud in March alone, with at least 13 successfully duping someone.

Why focus on email addresses and passwords? Because such fraudulent credentials can be used not only to access WHO systems but more critically, be used to impersonate the agency in phishing schemes. In Canada, the CBC characterized the battle against cyber attackers as “waging war against another type of virus: disinformation.”

The national Communications Security Establishment has already stopped widespread attacks spoofing the Canada Border Services Agency, Canada Revenue, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The attacks are widespread, hitting various industries. One report indicated that a Russian dark web site was selling administrative access to a Canadian university’s domain for $20,600. A cyberattack in late March struck Alberta’s Brewers Distributor Ltd., restricting the company’s ability to fulfill orders for liquor stores. Two weeks later, the business was still having trouble.

Government agencies are also increasingly vulnerable, primarily as some employees use their smartphones or computers instead of issued equipment. Many of these devices do not have the security provisions necessary to protect against threat actors.

The government issue is complicated by directives from many federal departments asking employees to refrain from working on internal servers unless working on critical services. Those servers have capacity limitations, and agencies are instead encouraging the use of non-government tools for non-sensitive work.

That could be a reckless decision, according to Steve Waterhouse, a cybersecurity consultant, and former IT officer for the Department of National Defence. Underline it, put it in bold and in italics: do not follow that procedure,” he told the National Post. “The government has never been as vulnerable as it is today because everyone is working outside of the office.”

How Do COVID-19 Cyberattack Scams Work?

Phishing attacks that mimic officials at various agencies are active today, given the urgency of the messaging and the public’s desire for information. Phishing emails typically include an attachment or link that claims to lead to important information about the virus or the agency’s response. However, clicking on either can launch malware that takes hold in a computer and can expose networks and data. In some cases, theft of information is the desired outcome. Others are ransomware attacks that hold websites hostage until payments are sent.

Fraudsters are also using text messages that mimic unemployment claims processing or the Public Health Agency of Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noted in a daily briefing about one scheme with texts offering cash from the federal government’s Emergency Response Benefit.

How Can My Business Prevent Cyberattacks?

Joe Martin, Compunet’s Strategic Account Manager, suggests businesses take the following steps to protect against cyberattacks:

  • Don’t click on suspicious links or download attachments from those you do not know.
  • Do not share private or sensitive information, including account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, birthdates, or payment information.
  • Rely on established websites for accurate COVID-19 information
  • Check on a sender’s email address or a link address by hovering over the sender or hyperlink.
  • Legitimate organizations will not ask you to send personal data or update account information.

Compunet Infotech is here to help with your COVID-19 cybersecurity needs. We offer comprehensive IT security and ransomware prevention services. To learn more, contact us today.

Contents

  • 1 Alarming Increase in Technology Scams During Pandemic
    • 1.1 What Is the Scope of COVID-19 Cyberattacks?
    • 1.2 How Do COVID-19 Cyberattack Scams Work?
    • 1.3 How Can My Business Prevent Cyberattacks?

Schedule Your No Obligation Initial Consultation Now

Complete this short form and schedule your no obligation 10-minute introductory phone call with Compunet Information. A member of our team will reach out immediately.

Latest Blog Posts

Why Business Leaders are Embracing Co-Managed IT
Why Business Leaders are Embracing Co-Managed IT
Read More
The Looming Threat Of Ransomware In 2024
The Looming Threat Of Ransomware In 2024
Read More
How To Turn Off Outlook Read Receipts For Enhanced Security
How To Turn Off Outlook Read Receipts For Enhanced Security
Read More
Read The Compunet Blog
  • Architecture
    • IT Management
    • Cloud Solutions
    • Software Support
    • Cybersecurity Solutions
  • Legal
    • Technology Management
    • Digital Transformation
    • Software Support
    • Cloud Services
    • IT Security
    • Cybersecurity Management
    • Ransomware Prevention
  • Accounting
    • Managed IT Services
    • Cloud Services
    • Ransomware Removal
    • Ransomware Protection
  • Engineering
    • Managed IT
    • Cloud
    • IT Security
    • Ransomware Removal
  • Cybersecurity Services
    • Microsoft MFA
    • Microsoft 365 Secure
    • Microsoft Office Protect
    • Network Security
    • Endpoint Protection
    • Dark Web Protection
Compunet infonech

Compunet InfoTech offers Managed IT Support & Hosted IT Services For Vancouver & Surrounding Areas. Serving Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam and New Westminster.

105-135 East 15th Street
North Vancouver, BC V7L 2P7

(604) 986-8170
info@compunet.ca

  • About Us
  • Why Choose Us?
  • Media Center
  • Vancouver IT Consulting News
  • Testimonials
  • Greater Vancouver
  • Burnaby
  • North Vancouver
  • Langley
  • Surrey
  • New Westminster

© 2023 Compunet InfoTech. All Rights Reserved.

Sitemap
|
Privacy Policy
|
Website Accessibility
Attention North Vancouver Businesses: Are You Worried About Your IT Services Provider?

Get A Free Second Opinion Today from Compunet.

Our comprehensive assessment includes:

  • A thorough analysis of your current IT company’s performance
  • A customized action plan to tackle all operational issues
  • A detailed budget and project plan for seamless execution

Don’t let IT issues hold back your business. Gain the clarity you need to get your IT on the right track. With our no-obligation, risk-free assessment, you have nothing to lose. Contact Compunet now.

Interested?
Schedule Your Initial Consultation with Compunet Today.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation With The Compunet Team.

Fill in your information below to get started today.