AI Can Help Fight Coronavirus Cyber Crime

Interpol has produced a new report on Covid-19 related cyber crime which indicates that over sixty percent of EU member countries had witnessed a massive increase in malicious domains registered with the keywords’ COVID or ‘Corona.’  These sites are aiming to take advantage of the growing number of people searching for information about COVID-19 online. 
 
During COVID-19, cyber criminals have exploited the Internet in the disguise of providing help and information.  In the fight against these challenging problems, both Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have a role to play and can help to solve a wide range of cyber security problems in different industries. 
 
AI is extremely good at attempting to mimic human intelligence. While it is still far beyond replacing humans’ cognitive thinking, it is proficient at finding anomalies and irregularities and reducing errors and faults in the operational tasks. ML can analyse the data from the past and evaluate the use cases for the future and these processes that can help identify possible cyber-crimes and take proactive preventive measures. 
 
  • AI establishes a baseline of behavior and it can flag it and take action, whether that’s sending a notification to a technician or even reverting to a safe state after a ransomware attack. 
  • ML algorithms can also help detect and remove outliers from training data sets to address the data poisoning attacks. AI-based risk management systems can be used to identify changes in those methods and to determine password patterns of explicit customer behavior. 
Unfortunately, there is a high probability that criminal attackers can weaponise AI and ML tools and automate them  to boost the effectiveness of their attacks
 
There are many ways AI and ML can be leveraged to fight cybersecurity issues. However, it is always better to define what kind of threats one wants to address using these technologies. 
 
The key findings by the Interpol concerning the cyber-crime landscape in relation to the Covid-19 crisi include:- 

Online Scams and Phishing - Threat actors have revised their usual online scams and phishing schemes. By deploying COVID-19 themed phishing emails, often impersonating government and health authorities, cyber criminals entice victims into providing their personal data and downloading malicious content. 

Around two-thirds of member countries which responded to the global cyber crime survey reported a significant use of COVID-19 themes for phishing and online fraud since the outbreak.
 
Disruptive Malware (Ransomware and DDoS) – Cyber criminals are increasingly using disruptive malware against critical infrastructure and healthcare institutions, due to the potential for high impact and financial benefit. 
In the first two weeks of April 2020, there was a spike in ransomware attacks by multiple threat groups which had been relatively dormant for the past few months. 
 
Law enforcement investigations show the majority of attackers estimated quite accurately the maximum amount of ransom they could demand from targeted organisations.
 
Data Harvesting Malware - The deployment of data harvesting malware such as Remote Access Trojan, info stealers, spyware and banking Trojans by cyber criminals is on the rise. Using Covid-19 related information as a lure, threat actors infiltrate systems to compromise networks, steal data, divert money and build botnets.
 
Malicious Domains - Taking advantage of the increased demand for medical supplies and information on Covid-19, there has been a significant increase of cyber criminals registering domain names containing keywords, such as “coronavirus” or “Covid”. 
 
These fraudulent websites underpin a wide variety of malicious activities including C2 servers, malware deployment and phishing. From February to March 2020, a 569 per cent growth in malicious registrations, including malware and phishing and a 788 per cent growth in high-risk registrations were detected and reported to Interpol by a private sector partner.
 
Misinformation - An increasing amount of misinformation and fake news is spreading rapidly among the public. Unverified information, inadequately understood threats, and conspiracy theories have contributed to anxiety in communities and in some cases facilitated the execution of cyber-attacks.
 
Nearly 30 per cent of countries which responded to the global cyber crime survey confirmed the circulation of false information related to Covid-19. Within a one-month period, one country reported 290 postings with the majority containing concealed malware. There are also reports of mis-information being linked to the illegal trade of fraudulent medical commodities.
 
Other cases of misinformation involved scams via mobile text-messages containing 'too good to be true' offers such as free food, special benefits, or large discounts in supermarkets.
 
Interpol:      Cap Gemini:          Analytics Insight:   
 
You Might Also Read: 
 
The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Cyber Security:
 
 
« Lockdown: Half Of Organisations Are Having Cyber Security Problems
Is Big Tech 'Fixing' The US Election? »

ManageEngine
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

ZenGRC

ZenGRC

ZenGRC (formerly Reciprocity) is a leader in the GRC SaaS landscape, offering robust and intuitive products designed to make compliance straightforward and efficient.

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

Tines

Tines

The Tines security automation platform helps security teams automate manual tasks, making them more effective and efficient.

Alvacomm

Alvacomm

Alvacomm offers holistic VIP cybersecurity services, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Our solutions include risk assessment, threat detection, incident response.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld

Akin is a leading global law firm providing innovative legal services and business solutions to individuals and institutions. Practice areas include Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Protection.

AA Certification (AAC)

AA Certification (AAC)

AAC provide ISO Quality Management System certification services including ISO 27001.

CFC Underwriting

CFC Underwriting

CFC is a specialist insurance provider and a pioneer in emerging risk, including cyber insurance.

Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD)

Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD)

The Israel National Cyber Directorate is the national security and technological agency responsible for defending Israel’s national cyberspace and for establishing and advancing Israel’s cyber power.

Celare

Celare

Celare delivers DPI based network perimeter monitoring solutions with integrated Big Data security analytics and threat detection.

ID Agent

ID Agent

ID Agent provides a comprehensive set of threat intelligence and identity monitoring solutions.

Silicon:SAFE

Silicon:SAFE

Silicon:SAFE develops impenetrable hardware solutions that prevent bulk data theft during a cyber-attack.

High Wire Networks

High Wire Networks

High Wire Network’s Overwatch Managed Security Plaform-as-a-Service offers organizations end-to-end protection for networks, data, endpoints and users.

VCG Group

VCG Group

VCG provides everything you need for the design, implementation and management of data centres, cyber-secure enterprise networks, cloud and connectivity services.

Sirti

Sirti

Sirti is Italy's leading technology company in the design and production of network infrastructures and telecoms system integration.

Oxylabs

Oxylabs

Oxylabs is the largest datacenter proxy pool in the market, with over 2 million proxies. Designed for high-traffic, fast web data gathering while ensuring superior performance.

Digital Encode

Digital Encode

Digital Encode is a leading consulting and integration firm that specializes in the design, management, and security of business-critical networks, telecommunications, and IT infrastructures.

Cynclair

Cynclair

Cybersecurity is a complex beast. And we're the beast-tamers. Our team thrives on deciphering the latest threats, building cutting-edge defenses, and making your digital world much safer.

Auraya

Auraya

Auraya develops its next generation voice biometric AI to deliver easy-to-use and highly secure speaker recognition and fraud detection capabilities.

QRC Assurance & Solutions

QRC Assurance & Solutions

QRC is a PCI QSA, QPA, ISO accredited, CPA and CERT-IN empanelled organization with vast experience in conducting certification, regulatory audits, pen testing services, training and more.

Business Communications Inc (BCI)

Business Communications Inc (BCI)

BCI is a leading technology company known for its exceptional team of experienced engineers with a focus on providing top-notch technology and security products and services.