Don't download this COVID app! It's spreading malware
Current COVID case numbers are through the roof. Whether down to state-level or your neighborhood, most people are interested to see where the hotspots are. What are your chances of getting COVID? CDC map charts breakthrough cases.
There are plenty of resources that can give you a quick overview of what is going on, with the most reliable being the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
But there is a new COVID-related phishing scam making the rounds that you need to know about. If you fall for it, your device could be infected with malware.
Here’s the backstory
Hiding behind the premise of helpful information on the latest omicron variant stats, an email has been making the rounds recently. On the surface, it seems harmless, but it contains much more than just statistics.
The phishing email claims to link to an app that gives omicron statistics. But if you follow the link and try to download the app, a new version of RedLine malware be installed onto your device. We have detailed the dangers of RedLine before. Tap or click here for a recent example.
RedLine malware is regularly used by cybercriminals and is easily available on the Dark Web. Thieves can purchase different versions of RedLine for a couple of hundred bucks and use it to steal critical information from victims. They use it to steal things like banking information and account credentials.
As reported by BleepingComputer, over half of all the stolen user details available on the black market have been gathered through the use of RedLine. Some of the details that the malware attempts to steal include:
- Passwords stored in your browser
- VPN details
- Credit card information
- Cryptocurrency wallet details
- The details and specifications of your computer
What you can do about it
The phishing email’s subject line will contain a variation purporting to be an app that will show you the latest COVID-19 stats. An executable file is attached, called Omicron Stats.exe, and once you click on it the RedLine malware will go to work.
Here are some tips on how to stay safe:
This forecast map shows where COVID may spread 2 weeks from now
As temperatures cool, there are concerns that we can see an uptick in COVID-19 cases. Though most cities and states relaxed their policies as vaccinations increased, some tightened things up again as new variants spread.
The CDC says you should avoid these 16 COVID hotspots
If you are thinking of taking a vacation soon, you may want to rethink exactly where you are going. Things have gotten a bit tricky when it comes to travel plans due to recent developments.
For the last few weeks, COVID cases have been rising globally. Florida, for instance, has seen over 21,000 new cases a day recently. The new Delta variant is said to be worse than any others we’ve seen before. Tap or click here to track the spread of this contagious new strain with this map.