COVID cybercrime: Ten disturbing statistics to keep you awake tonight

From cancelled conferences to disrupted supply chains, not a corner of the global economy is immune to the spread of COVID-19. Due to the length and complexity of the COVID pandemic, related cyber-crime has escalated exponentially compared to other outbreaks.

Here are ten stats to consider from ZDNet:

  1. The number of unsecured remote desktop machines rose by more than 40%.
  2. RDP brute-force attacks grew 400% in March and April alone.
  3. Email scams related to COVID-19 surged 667% in March alone.
  4. According to Verizon security researchers, Users are now three times more likely to click on pandemic-related phishing scams
  5. Billions of COVID-19 now exist pages on the Internet – seriously – just Google it.
  6. ZD Net reports that tens of thousands of new coronavirus-related domains are being created daily.
  7. 90% of newly created coronavirus domains are scam sites peddling fake cures, or private sites, most likely used for malware distribution only to users with a specific referral header.
  8. Bleeping Computer reports that more than 530,000 Zoom accounts sold on dark web
  9. Security researchers have found a 2000% Increase in malicious files with “zoom” in name
  10. Skybox Security and SonicWall have noted that COVID-19 related ransomware has spiked between 72% to 105%.

Although these items didn’t fit nicely into little statistics, we’ve also noticed more coronavirus-related scams and problems, including ransomware on fake contact tracing apps, COVID-19 malware that will wipe your PC, and stories about nation-state sponsored activity regarding COVID vaccines.

Be vigiliant folks! It’s going to continue to get worse before it gets better.

If you’re interested in strategies to combat these problems, the experts at True North Cyber Solutions are prepared to help. Contact us today to find out more.

Scroll to Top