Communications of the ACM
Cybercriminals Take Advantage of Coronavirus
Hackers are targeting critical healthcare systems already strained by the coronavirus pandemic.
Credit: Martin Divisek/Shutterstock
Hackers are targeting critical healthcare systems already strained by the coronavirus pandemic, compromising computer networks and disrupting patient care.
Flavio Aggio of the World Health Organization (WHO) said criminals have stepped up exploits, including ransomware attacks, against the agency.
WHO and other global health organizations have been combating scams spreading misinformation about the coronavirus, or exploiting anxieties to breach corporate networks and work-from-home workforces.
Experts said criminals are taking advantage of the pandemic to launch more targeted attacks against healthcare facilities, whose resources are focused on the coronavirus.
A ransomware attack disabled the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District's website in Illinois earlier this month; hackers also crippled a Czech Republic hospital's computer network.
From The Wall Street Journal
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