Cybercriminals send emails containing malicious links and data, according to police sources. When individuals click on such a link or download a file, their system — whether it's a phone or a computer — is compromised, and hackers have access to sensitive data. The government recommended citizens examine the domain name and URL of websites to ensure their validity, and to report any such incidents to the cybercrime.gov.in portal.
A warning has been issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) against cybercriminals about offering free testing to potential victims in order to detect the Omicron variant. TheMHA's cyber and information security branch has issued the following advisory: "Due to the shift in focus to the health crisis, cybercriminals are taking advantage of the weakening of cyber defenses. Cybercriminals are always devising new methods of defrauding citizens. As time goes on, Omicron-themed cybercrime is becoming more prevalent. Cybercriminals are using a variety of strategies to commit cybercrime in order to take advantage of the continuously changing scenario and scam innocent victims."
Hackers in the United Kingdom have already begun to take advantage of the virus by sending out phishing emails offering free COVID-19 testing that claims to detect the new variant. In reality, hackers are attempting to dupe unwary users into divulging their personal data. According to a consumer watchdog group, the scam emails appear to come from the UK's National Health Service. The subject line of one email reads, "Get Your Free Omicron PCR Test - Apply Now to Avoid Restrictions. People who do not consent to a COVID-19 test and refuse to have a swab must be segregated," the email continues, in an attempt to terrify the user into complying.
Users who fall for the ruse will be directed to a fake NHS website, which will ask for their full name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email address – all of which can be used to commit identity theft. The phishing emails are embellished with official-looking NHS logos by hackers. The scam emails were also received from the address "contact-nhs[AT]nhscontact.com."
