LACNIC CSIRT Offers Recommendations in Light of Increase in Cybercrime
May 31, 2021
In light of the recent increase in cybercrime, LACNIC’s Computer Security Incident Response Team (LACNIC CSIRT) has highlighted a series of recommendations for Internet users and organizations.
Cybercriminals have taken advantage of the growth of Internet traffic during the pandemic. A recent compilation of cyber fraud reports shows that ransomware attacks have intensified. Ransomware is a malicious application that infects a single computer or a computer network and encrypts certain files which can only be decrypted once a ransom is paid in exchange for the encryption key. These reports also show that ransom paid by victims has increased by more than 300%
The data — which was taken from sources external to LACNIC* — shows that phishing (identity theft) increased by 100% worldwide over the past year. This increase includes the creation of domain names purportedly offering information on the COVID-19 pandemic, treatments for its cure, or selling masks that would never reach their destination, and has coincided with new phishing campaigns and attempted fraud against financial institutions.
With this in mind, LACNIC CSIRT strives to keep its community up to date on the most widespread forms of fraud and has drawn up a series of recommendations to reduce the risk of computer fraud.
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Records show that the most common form of attack is via email. Most fraud attempts use an email attachment or an email containing a link to a malicious website, and often prey on the victim’s sense of urgency (a malicious email might say, for example, that the user’s account will be blocked or that they will lose their information).
Avoid following links to unknown websites or clicking on links suggested by someone you don’t know. Check the URL you wish to visit.
Be careful if you receive a message asking you to urgently provide personal information.
