Spam and phishing: Around every 6th email comes from Germany. The Kaspersky Report shows: Covid-19 topic is still popular as bait among cyber criminals around the world.
In the past year, COVID-19-related spam emails and phishing sites have become one of the most profitable fraud opportunities for cyber criminals due to the publicity and explosiveness of the topic. Fraudsters continue to exploit this issue, especially in Germany. In the first quarter of this year, around 15 percent of spam attacks worldwide came from Germany, which was the second highest figure in the world last year. At the same time, the opening rate of malicious e-mails in Germany was just under 6 percent - according to Kaspersky studies, the third highest proportion worldwide. These results come from the latest spam and phishing report from Kaspersky.
COVID-19 is the # 1 topic for spam and phishing emails
In the past year, cyber criminals used the COVID-19 issue for spam and phishing emails to lure their victims into a trap. Recipients are asked to get vaccinated, take part in a survey or diagnose COVID-19 - also on behalf of supposed state health authorities. For example, online users in the UK received an email that appeared to be from the country's national health service. The recipients were asked to be vaccinated and to confirm their vaccination request by following a link. In order to schedule a vaccination appointment, users then had to fill out the form with personal information, including bank card details. Cyber criminals obtained personal and financial data of their victims in this way.
The prospect of vaccination as bait
Another way to get sensitive information was through fake vaccination surveys. Scammers sent emails on behalf of large pharmaceutical companies that make COVID-19 vaccines and invited recipients to take a short survey. After answering all questions, a gift was offered. To receive it, users were directed to a page where they were asked to fill out a detailed form with personal information. In some cases, the attackers even asked for a token amount to be paid for delivery.
Germany ranks second in the world for outbound spam attacks
In the first quarter of this year, around 15 percent of spam attacks worldwide came from Germany, which was the second highest figure in the world last year. As in the previous year, the front runner here is Russia with 22 percent. Third place is taken by the USA with 13 percent, followed by China with 7 percent. At the same time, the opening rate of malicious e-mails in Germany was just under 6 percent - according to Kaspersky studies, the third highest proportion worldwide. As in the previous year, Spain is most frequently affected by malicious e-mails with almost 9 percent, followed by Italy with 7,5 percent.
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About Kaspersky Kaspersky is an international cybersecurity company founded in 1997. Kaspersky's in-depth threat intelligence and security expertise serve as the basis for innovative security solutions and services to protect companies, critical infrastructures, governments and private users worldwide. The company's comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection as well as a range of specialized security solutions and services to defend against complex and evolving cyber threats. Kaspersky technologies protect over 400 million users and 250.000 corporate customers. More information about Kaspersky can be found at www.kaspersky.com/
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