Cyberattacks increase after the pandemic, cases soar in Chennai and Bengaluru: Experts

Mukesh Choudhary, a New Delhi-based cyber expert revealed that cybercrime has increased during COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. He claimed that cybercriminals are spreading fake apps including liquor selling, COVID-19 care to lure users.

New Delhi: In a worrying trend to the IT industry, recent studies by cyber experts revealed that cybercrime has increased in recent months after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Certainly, two southern metropolitan cities Chennai and Bengaluru have become the two topmost targets of cybercriminals in the country in the first quarter of this year.

Speaking about the fact, Mukesh Choudhary, a New Delhi-based cyber expert said the cyber offenders have changed their Modus Operandi during this pandemic.

“The usage of the internet has increased much during the lockdown period. Therefore, cybercriminals are using this as a chance to lure users and attack their systems. Especially, cyber actors are spreading fake apps including liquor selling, COVID-19 care, and so on,” Choudary told ETV Bharat.

When asked about an incident, he said, a Mumbai man had lost Rs.60,000 for buying liquor from cybercrime accused in April.

Cybercriminals are also targeting enterprises and software.

The data released by K7 Computing, a private cyber-security firm said Chennai is at the top of the list with 42% of cyber attacks within January and March 2020.

Subsequently, Bengaluru stands number two with 38% of attacks. Hyderabad and Kolkata witness 35% of cyber attacks.

“The cyber actors are mostly targeting Windows XP and Windows 7 OS of Microsoft. It is noted the Microsoft had stopped updates and patches for these two Oss,” said Kesavaradhan, CEO of K7 computing.

The report revealed that curveball, Remote Code Execution, Phishing attacks based on COVID-19 trends, and Denial of Service (DOS) are the most common attacks being unleashed by cybercriminals.

“There is an increasing trend that cyber attacks are being targeted towards the enterprises with complex viruses, Trojans and ransomware,” said Kesavaradhan.

The report also states that individuals are facing the attack while downloading fake apps, COVID-19 apps, and others.

It is noted Patna is also one of the top cities which has cyber attacks as equal as Bengaluru with 38% of issues.

Mukesh Choudhary said, “As Chennai and Bengaluru are the major IT hubs in the country, the cyber actors might have kept these cities as their target. So, users should be careful during this uncertain time.”