Government, businesses and other organizations in the Middle East are increasingly encouraging home working in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19/coronavirus. While the measure is undoubtedly effective in flattening the curve of coronavirus increase, there are cyber risks that need to be considered in relation to this change.
Given the cybersecurity risks involved with remote working, Kaspersky is offering its Kaspersky Total Security suite – aimed to provide comprehensive multi-device security while working or learning online – free for a 3-month period.
Kaspersky Total Security features antivirus, anti-ransomware, Webcam security, a password manager, and a virtual private network in one licensed bundle.
“As people around the Middle East adapt to working remotely, it is important to stay cautious and take the necessary steps to stay secure. The reality is that malicious actors are looking to exploit weaknesses, particularly in mobile devices and also home Wi-Fi networks where cybersecurity is lower than traditional corporate networks. In order to avoid falling victim to such crafty attacks, mobile and computer devices need adequate protection – and urgently,” says Maher Yamout, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky.
Cybercriminals have used the Coronavirus as bait for maximum impact. As expected, people continue to worry about their health and fake documents that are said to educate them about the Coronavirus are in fact spreading more malware and causing havoc.
Apart from accidentally downloading malware that is Covid-19 themed, there are also malware infections that target users in Oman. The risk of downloading this malware is 70% higher on weekdays as compared to weekends.
“In light of the current situation, there is a significant level of interest in the latest updates around Covid-19. Given this level of curiosity, people are quite likely to click on links that offer them the latest information. Cybercriminals have caught onto this trend and are exploiting people’s concern over their health. Malicious files are being shared under the guise of pdfs, mp4, and docx files about Covid-19. These files claim to contain the latest updates and information about the current situation and how to stay protected against the virus. During these difficult times, it is important to stay vigilant and not click on links that seem suspicious. With this promotion, we at Kaspersky are dedicated to keeping people’s devices safe in the Middle East.” adds Maher Yamout, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky.
Kaspersky Total Security is a user-friendly product that blocks viruses, crypto lockers, and other threats. It delivers bank-grade encryption to protect online payments and secures password and images of personal documents. Its advanced parental controls also enable parents to help guard their children against any potential malicious online activity, suspicious sites, and illicit content – a great feature to rely on as most children are becoming accustomed to e-learning strategies and are spending more recreational time online while staying at home.
The free 3-month offer of Kaspersky Total Security can be downloaded here.