Beware! Hackers are using Corona Virus updates to hack into your device

Despite the rising number of deaths due to Covid-19 and a global effort to stop the spread of this highly infectious virus, the online hackers have devised a malware called “coronavirus map” to steal confidential data, including bank account details and passwords. The police have issued an official statement urging people not to open any coronavirus-related links circulated on social messaging apps. “Cyber fraudsters are using malware called coronavirus map, which can compromise your confidential data,” an official said.

The police are taking precautionary measures by spreading awareness about this unauthorized link. The malware link, shared widely on messaging apps like WhatsApp, claims that it has important information about ways to prevent coronavirus infection, he said. If one clicks on the link, it installs a spy software, which can steal bank account details, passwords and other personal data.

Globally, several organizations have made dashboards to keep users updated about the spread of COVID-19. But now, hackers have are using imitations of these dashboards to download malware into computers.

Shai Alfasi, a security researcher at Reason Labs, found that hackers are using these maps to steal information of users including user names, passwords, credit card numbers, and other info stored in your browser. Several organizations have made dashboards to keep track of COVID-19. But now, hackers have found a way to use these dashboards to inject malware into computers.

Attackers create websites related to coronavirus and prompt users to download an application to keep them updated on the situation. This application doesn’t need any installation and shows you a map of how COVID-19 is spreading. However, it is just another way for attackers to generate malicious code and install it on your computer.

These websites pose as genuine maps for tracking coronavirus but have a different URL or different details from the original source. The malware has an interface that looks very good and convincing. When running the malware, the user interface window loads information, which pools from the web. Currently, the malware only affects Windows machines. But Alfasi expects attackers to work on a new version that might affect other systems too.

Earlier this month, research from security firm Check Point noted that coronavirus related domains are 50 percent more likely to install the malware in your system.