Over the past two decades, the Internet has evolved from something of a novelty to a tool most of us heavily rely upon daily. The Internet has completely changed the way we do things, from how we work to how we communicate, socialize, shop, and learn. When we think about how much we depend on the Internet in our daily lives, it’s hard to imagine life without it. But there’s a lot of unknown and danger that comes with such a widespread channel that can leave you vulnerable. If you are a victim of a malware or phishing attack, check out steps you can take in response to the incident.
Malware and Phishing Attacks
According to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS), there were over 70,000 reported cybersecurity incidents in 2023. This suggests a 25% increase from the previous year. Canadian businesses are slowly beginning to wake up to the need to enhance security measures against cyber-attacks. But, as much as the Internet is an indispensable tool, using it leaves us vulnerable to malicious threats. There is an abundance of Trojan horses, bots, adware, ransomware, macro viruses, rogueware, spyware, worms, and phishing attacks that target Internet users every day. Crimeware attacks and identity fraud can happen to anyone at any time. The more we use the Internet, the more vulnerable we are to these threats.
3.4 billion phishing emails are sent every day!
What are phishing attacks?
Phishing is a cyber criminal’s attempt to send you malware or steal sensitive information from you by pretending to be a legitimate sender. These hackers can pose as a bank, online store, or even someone you know. It also happens to be one of the most popular cyber scams out there, which means phishing is very common, and accidents happen. 18% of Canadians say that they took risks online that threatened their cyber security.
After surrendering your information in the scam, the cybercriminal will usually use the details to reap financial gains or perpetuate other crimes. This is done by using the stolen login credentials to access to:
- Bank accounts
- Credit cards
- Email inboxes
- Home networks
- Social media profiles
- Canada Revenue accounts
If the stolen credentials include passwords that are used across multiple accounts, then the phisher may be able to access a wider range of the victim’s accounts and cause more damage. Read our article for tips to help avoid falling for phishing scams.
DYK: Yahoo, DHL, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Adobe, and Netflix are among the most impersonated brands.
Steps to take to secure your accounts from malware and phishing attacks
If you become a victim of phishing, Canada.ca offers some simple steps you can do to recover and secure your accounts and devices:
✅ Change affected passwords
You should update all accounts to use strong and unique passwords. Consider using passphrases made of four or more random words and 15 or more characters for extra security.
✅ Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts and devices. This makes it harder for cybercriminals to access your data, even if they steal your password.
✅ Call your financial institution
If you’ve shared any financial information (like a credit card number), contact your bank. You can recover lost finances and prevent any further losses while monitoring your transactions.
✅ Consider deleting your inactive accounts
If cyber criminals gain access to your accounts, they can send phishing links to your contact list. Deleting or suspending your inactive accounts may prevent this. Additionally, you can log out of main channels, like email and social media accounts, that are logged in on other devices.
✅ Check your device for viruses or other malware
If there was a suspicious link or attachment you clicked in an email, install anti-virus software and scan your device for viruses that may have been downloaded.
✅ Report the incident
You can report phishing scams and other instances of online fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, or by calling 1-888-495-8501. You can also report the incident to your local police department.
Malware and phishing attacks: Crimeware
Crimeware is malicious software or code designed to aid criminal activities on the internet. It can be a single computer program or a set of programs that help criminals steal personal information, take control of the infected device, or automate their nefarious activities, such as phishing.
Any malware can be crimeware if it’s used for illegal purposes. But crimeware doesn’t always have to be in the form of malware. It can be any software for illicit activities, such as software kits for phishing attacks. While crimeware is typically associated with software-based attacks, it can also be hardware-based. For example, criminals can connect hardware keyloggers to steal passwords in your workplace or use packet sniffers for man-in-the-middle attacks on public Wi-Fi.
How does crimeware work?
The way most crimeware works is like malware. Your device gets infected when you click on links in phishing emails, download files from malicious or fake websites, or fall for any social engineering techniques.
How to prevent crimeware attacks
Preventing crimeware is often tricky because it involves technical measures and user awareness. Here are some steps you can take to help avoid crimeware attacks:
- Keep your software up to date. Regularly install security patches and updates for your operating system, web browser, and other programs. This way, you can eliminate security vulnerabilities before criminals exploit them.
- Use strong and unique passwords. Use a different secure password for each account and enable MFA wherever possible. Doing so can help prevent attackers from accessing your accounts and stealing sensitive information.
- Install and use security software. Install a reputable malware protection tool and keep it up to date. It can help detect malicious downloads before they end up on your device.
- Be cautious when opening attachments or clicking on links. Don’t open attachments or click on links in emails or messages from unknown senders. Suspicious emails can include phishing links and malware attachments.
- Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). When connecting to public Wi-Fi, use a VPN to encrypt your traffic and protect your data from interception by attackers.
- Back up your data. Ransomware attacks can make getting your data back impossible, but a recent backup can help you recover your data.
- Pay attention to your device. Sometimes negligible symptoms, such as weaker device performance, can indicate a hacked phone or computer. Noticing and examining suspicious behaviour can stop crimeware in its tracks.
- Stay informed and educated. Keep up with the latest threats and attack techniques, and educate yourself on staying safe online. Reading our blog is a good start.
Read on to learn more about cybersecurity best practices.
Can a VPN prevent crimeware?
Yes and no.
A VPN can prevent some types of crimeware attacks because it prevents criminals from intercepting your internet traffic to steal your sensitive information. But a VPN alone is usually insufficient to protect against all types of crimeware. For example, a VPN cannot stop you from downloading malicious software or submitting your passwords on phishing websites. Some VPN brands, like NordVPN, can do much more than a regular VPN. Its additional Threat Protection Pro feature can block malicious downloads and prevent you from landing on dangerous websites.
Have you been a victim of a malware or phishing attack?
Only a small percentage of cybercrimes or frauds are reported to police in Canada, making it difficult for law enforcement to keep up with the ever-changing threat landscape. If you have been a victim of a scam, fraud, or cybercrime, please contact your local police as soon as possible. The Canadian Center for Cybersecurity provides detailed instructions and what to expect. As well, consider reporting attempted scams or fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre here. Reporting may help link multiple crimes together and contribute to further investments in Canada to combat cybercrime.
Is your business in need of a cybersecurity policy? Contact us today to speak with one of our knowledgeable isure brokers who will provide you with the best advice and coverage you need when it comes to cyber safety.
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