It’s been three months since Russia invaded Ukraine. While this situation continues to intensify, so do cybersecurity threats. It is important to stay vigilant to protect yourself from hackers and fraudsters. We will explain the three most common threats coming from this conflict that you should be aware of.
Threat: Russia-supported and state-sponsored hacking groups targeting the U.S. and European companies. With the U.S., EU, and many countries worldwide continuing to impose and harden sanctions against Russian businesses and individuals, Russia is retaliating with cyberattacks on those involved. They target individual companies and industries that are sanctioning.
Cautionary: Stay alert to whaling attacks. These phishing emails and SMS messages steer users to malicious or legitimate but compromised websites for news and information. Expect drive-by downloads of malicious content from some of these websites. Be aware of the URL details for every website that you visit. Watch out for HTTPS security, look-a-like domain names in URL, or unknown domains. Be reminded of the danger of URL shorteners, especially with SMS and social media. Anything linked or related to the conflict must be scrutinized.
Threat: Russia and their alliances use propaganda and spread misinformation. While arguably most social media platforms already left or blocked access to and from Russia, hacker-controlled bots and trolls publish misinformation on all platforms worldwide. It’s not just about the fake news, but malicious links and attachments that can traverse social media platforms.
Cautionary: Make sure you are always checking your sources. You should compare and contrast information from several reliable sources. Remember, websites and even social media accounts can be hacked and spread misinformation. Even if the source is someone you recognize or trust, like an old friend on facebook, you will not know if that account has been compromised. Do not share any information until fully vetted and verified to be authentic. Remember, with today’s technology pictures, videos and voices can be easily altered. For example, in this conflict alone, there are known and validated by forensic experts instances of visuals taken from past videos and even games to create a terrifying statement.
Threat: Countless fake charities pop up during disasters.
Cautionary: If you are planning to donate money to a cause, then make sure you are supporting a reliable, well-known organization. Most large charity organizations are currently taking donations for Ukraine. Don’t fall for the fake charity scam.
Emerald Glen Title Agency wants your personal information to be protected. Follow these tips to protect your finances. In addition, it is important to remember that when working with us we will never change the wiring instructions during a transaction or call you with changed instructions.