What is Omicron Variant Phishing Scam:

In this wave of scams, cyber-criminals target universities with malicious e-communications that seem to offer the testing information about the COVID Omicron variant and represent as if it has come from a genuine source or not?. But in reality, it was under the hackers’ control, and they were capable of capturing passwords and other confidential information.

Recently, Security Company Proof points warned about the phishing scam email, where the attackers are trying to steal important confidential information like credit card details, ATM PIN, login information from university staff, students, and others.  

Proof points and the latest surveys warn that It is very likely that these activities will go up in the coming months as colleges and universities would require testing for students, faculty, and other staff members who will be commuting to and from the campus area after the holiday season.

How does it exactly work?

Emails Scam:

Faster than the virus itself, hackers have been very quick in executing malicious emails about the new Omicron variant of COVID. These hackers never lose an opportunity to stay away from a situation and they are using the current scenario to make the most out of it even if it hurts people’s sentiments. Specific individuals, businesses, manufacturers, organizations, and even political members have all been targeted by cyber-criminals in the last 3 years. A UK-based consumer advocacy group found out that hackers are sending out malicious emails pretending as if they belong to the U.K National Cyber Security Center (NHS) group to steal data. And similarly, a UK-based security researcher, Individual Protection Solutions, warned the masses about the new series of Gmail email phishing attacks. 

And afterward, the mail communication asks for the important credentials like personal information, credit card details, bank details, ATM PIN, and as and when you see it, you realize that it may be fake because the national authority would never ask for such details. But when you realize it may be late, because you already opened the email or the attachment which means that the malicious software has already entered into your device. So, beware! And do not fall into the trick of these hackers. 

Why are hackers doing Phishing? 

The global pandemic has resulted in the rise of such scams, and phishing attacks have increased more than ever. Because hackers are using the current news as a lure to get more people to click on the links that they send by advertisements or over emails. As the health professionals argue and state that this variant could be even more dangerous than Delta, the hackers have used the chance to turn this uncertainty into cash by stealing maybe because of the fear that they will be jobless and hence they are getting into the unethical acts to have a living! 

What can we do to be safeguarded against the scam?

To safeguard ourselves from hacks, attacks, getting malicious Software installed on our system, we should be, protective before clicking links to any emails which are not from a known source, and before accessing or opening any such emails try reaching through call, face to face meeting so that we are sure of the identity of the sender. 

Also, as soon as people get any such suspicious emails, they should notify the respective government authority about such fake web addresses, fake emails, phishing emails, etc. It can also be reported as Cyber-crime. It is also advised and suggested that people set up two-factor authentication (mobile and mail OTP’s) so that one gets alarmed even before any such fraudulent transaction takes place. 

How to safeguard yourself from the phishing attack:

• It is important to note that the NHS or any government authority will never contact anyone individually out of nowhere. And such communications happen only through government websites.
• In case you get such communications, make sure you check the sender of the communication from an online search engine. The genuine source of NHS mail ends with NHS.uk.
• Never open any links which are given inside of the mails. 
• In no case, you should share your bank or any confidential information as the government authorities never ask for financial information. 
• Till now there have been no tests prescribed for the new Omicron Variant and hence you should not look for such information. These details will come to you either through TV Channels or newspapers but not through email as soon as you get it so no malicious software can get into your device.