Workers watching porn during coronavirus lockdown leaves companies open to cyberhackers, security expert warns
PORNHUB has reported a spike in traffic as more people work from home during the coronavirus outbreak and hackers are “seizing on this opportunity”, experts warn.
Porn is one of hackers’ favourite tools and if employees access it while at home, they could put their computer system at risk.
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There has been an increase in cyberattacks on Americans over the past two weeks as the hackers realise Americans are now working outside of their corporate firewalls.
Tyler Moffitt, senior threat research analyst at the cybersecurity firm Webroot, told NPR: “I mean, adult sites have always been in the top three categories of websites hosting malicious content.”
He added: ”I would say that is a reasonable assumption — that we’re going to see an increase, due to porn at home.
“You know, these cybercriminals are seizing on this opportunity during a difficult time of pandemic.”
Porn viewers aren’t the only only ones at risk of being hacked.
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Hackers can prey on fear and desperation, according to Peter Bauer, chief executive of Mimecast.
He said: “We’re seeing things like scams going out via email that are posing as Costco, luring people in to be able to stock up on emergency things.”
Bauer also warns against emails purporting to be from the federal government, offering coronavirus relief checks if you share your bank info.
Bauer points out that some hackers may be more active now because they’re feeling desperate, too.
Many have day jobs — or, at least, they did before the outbreak.
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He said: “and I dare say there are an awful lot of hackers whose own daily lives have been interrupted, and they’re spending a lot more time sitting behind computers, trying to figure out how to make their money that way.”
Bauer predicts aggressive hacking efforts will continue for at least a few more weeks.