the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, according to the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, cyber threat actors have capitalized on global interest surrounding the virus to target users. Early in 2020, thousands of website domains related to COVID-19 were registered, and many of these websites were subsequently used to host malware and for other fraudulent activity. Phishing emails using COVID-19 lures have also been sent to users in an attempt to convince the recipient to divulge sensitive or financial information, or open malicious links or attachments. These same tactics continue to be employed, now with COVID-19 vaccine themes and lures. COVID-19 vaccine-themed phishing emails may include subject lines that make reference to vaccine registration, information about vaccine coverage, locations to receive the vaccine, ways to reserve a vaccine, and vaccine requirements. Links and attachments included in various phishing campaigns may employ brand spoofing and impersonate well-known and trusted entities, such as government agencies, healthcare providers, or pharmaceutical companies.
