WEBINAR: COVID-19 email attacks evolving as outbreak spreads

COVID-19 isn’t just changing the way we all live and work, it’s also significantly changing the security threat landscape as malicious actors seek to capitalise on the confusion of the crisis for nefarious ends. 

If you caught the first in our COVID-19 webinar, you’ll have heard our Chief Research Officer, Mikko Hypponen, give a candid overview of what we’re seeing so far and how things could pan out. (If you missed it, you can still view the session here.) 

In this episode, F-Secure’s Vice President of Tactical Defense Unit, Christine Bejerasco, explored specific examples of COVID-19-themed malware attacks that we’ve seen to date, exactly how they’re spreading, how to spot them, and what you can do to stop them. 

Here are some key takeaways: 

• Emails are used as an entry point to attack organizations.  
• There are also threats beyond emails such as malicious links on websites or malware.  
• Spotting the threat: Unusual looking email and/or email attachments. Attackers use different archiving mechanism with executables inside.  
• Stick to legitimate sources for information. Use sources that you have been relying on before the pandemic. Don’t find new websites as you could potentially end up on a website with unwanted applications.  
• Authenticate and verify the source of an email, if you can, before opening it.  
• Your work device is an entry point to your organization, and it is crucial that you separate it from your home device, especially when working from home. 

Everyone in the organization is responsible for keeping the organization safe by practicing standard cautionary steps. Think twice before you open an email or click on a link, especially the ones with attachments in them — If something looks or feels off, don’t open it.  

Watch the webinar with F-Secure’s Vice President of Tactical Defense Unit, Christine Bejerasco, to learn more.