Cyber attackers did not sit idle after the earthquake
While all of Turkey and the world were mobilized to heal the wounds of the earthquake that caused great loss of life and destruction in 11 provinces of Turkey, cyber attackers set their sights on the aid collected for earthquake victims.
The cyber attackers not only undermined the efforts of non-governmental organizations collecting donations and aid for earthquake victims, but also tried to scam donors with fake bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets. Seeking to take advantage of natural disasters and emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and pandemics and people’s vulnerable moments, cyber-attackers have intensified their phishing attacks.
Underlining that cyber attackers will not hesitate to take advantage of any good or bad situation that will benefit them, Trend Micro Turkey Country Manager Hasan Gültekin said, “Cyber attackers are trying to take advantage of the difficult situation people are in today, just like in other incidents in the past. It tries to undermine the work being done, covets the donations collected, or tries to steal identity or other information by taking advantage of this situation where people are most vulnerable and careless. People need to be very careful about such sensitive situations. While giving aid, it is of great importance to follow the guidelines announced on the official websites and social media accounts of aid organizations. “We also need to be more careful about phishing emails,” he said.
Fake fundraising attempts continue
Trying to take advantage of the goodwill of those who want to help the victims of the earthquake, cyber attackers try to transfer donations to their own accounts by imitating non-governmental organizations or pretending to help themselves. For example, by publishing various photos and videos, and by republishing the statements of official organizations on social media, it tries to gain people’s trust and encourage them to donate to their own accounts. Trend Micro has blocked access to the URLs of over 100 malicious Web sites since February 6. Those who want to donate or help should be very careful in this regard, carefully follow the statements made by these organizations and make sure that the place they donate is a known and reliable place.
Cyber attackers also use cyberattacks on charities to undermine their work or seize their information. Attacks on the websites and social media accounts of institutions and organizations operating in the earthquake area continue.
Phishing attacks on the rise
Cyber attackers intensify phishing attacks in such tragic times when people are at their most vulnerable and careless. Emotional emails or social media posts with various photos and videos encourage people to click on links where they can steal passwords and other information, or malware. In order to avoid such phishing attacks, one should not click on links in suspicious emails or social media messages from unknown sources. Even if it comes from a reliable source, it is of great importance to approach incoming messages with suspicion and be careful, as the account may have been hacked. Cyber attackers also spread false and misleading information, inciting panic and recklessness among people.
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