Will we experience a computer virus pandemic?
With the COVID-19 crisis, digital uses have experienced a dizzying increase. Its growth has, so to speak, increase exponentially. With the rise in connections to web services and the need to be able to access the Internet to weather the shock, we have seen an increase in computer viruses and cyber attacks. Whether on the corporate or personal side, everyone was a potential target for hackers during this time of crisis. With no curfew for cyber attacks, the government website cybermalveillance.gouv.fr noted a 400% increase in phishing attempts during the first week of containment.
With hindsight, even if the COVID period is still relevant, it is interesting to do prospective work on the similarities between COVID crisis management and cybersecurity risks. Here is a list of different reasons why it seems that the Covid-19 crisis can teach us more about the dangers posed by our large-scale digital use.
1- The covid-19 pandemic, a golden opportunity for cyber attacks
The newspaper of the net questioned the presence of a "digital pandemic" in a publication in 2020 in parallel with the health crisis. The surge in online stocks spawned by the lockdown has been a boon for many malicious agents. First and foremost, the most frequent phishing attacks. They have the advantage of not needing any technical skills. A great threat for Internet users whose untargeted attack is made possible by many spamming software.
Although phishing attacks are commonplace, they were most noticeable during containment. At the same time, more present but also more visible for the ultra-connected Internet users on the networks. This is where the term digital pandemic comes into its own. Indeed, like the scourge that is Covid-19, phishing attempts have proliferated on the internet, harming several victims already in bad shape by the health situation.
The exponential increase in cyber attacks is reminiscent of the increase in Covid19 cases that took place during the year 2020. Reminding us, everyone, of the need to use digital hygiene on the web.
2- A multifactorial cause difficult to detect
For a long time, the cause of Covid-19 has been a source of debate and controversy. Each bringing their theory to the now public sphere of digital media. Looking back, it would seem that the origin, but also the spread of the virus is actually caused by a positive feedback from many co-occurring factors.
The same is true when an individual sees their accounts and hardware infected with a computer virus. It is often difficult to return to the source of the evil, so scrupulous are the pirates that remove the leads. Also, digital security decreased in such a measure that users will leave flaws to appear during navigation. It is therefore difficult to know what is the source of the problem when it occurs.
3- Solutions to reduce the spread and risks
With the increase in malware, spyware and whatnot, resorting to what might be called "barrier gestures" is the best solution. They allow us to prevent any penetration or theft of personal data. The irremediable advice on hygiene during the Covid-19 crisis is reminiscent of online safety rules, which we keep repeating all day long.
It is without context the accumulation of healthy and preventive practices that are the main defenses of individuals in the face of digital crime. For once, these tedious little practices, but effective in reducing risks, have always been presented by professionals, to best help Internet users. However, we can see it even more in the digital world, it is sometimes difficult to force a hand when it comes to potential risks.
4- a threat not always taken seriously
Indeed, during the health crisis, we had the right to many debacles about the gravity of the situation and the dangerousness of the threat. Every day, a protest emerged on various social networks, advocating a rather low mortality curve or mild symptoms. Everyone has their own opinion on how to deal with the crisis. What we are seeing, however, is that the perceived seriousness of a threat diminishes so much when it is not tangible and diffused.
Unfortunately, what better place than the virtual digital world and the great discretion of malicious hackers, to create an atmosphere of calm before the storm. This is a very interesting point to raise, the denial of danger is still very much online. Internet users do not feel affected by the main threats that surround them. Yet it is by a factor of 4 that the number of cyber attacks increased during the year 2020, which raises questions about the future.
5- A generational division on the stakes
The implementation of barrier gestures and the feeling of gravity linked to covid-19 was a source of discord between the different age groups. If fear has invaded our seniors, a legitimate response since they are the main ones affected by severe cases of the disease, young people have taken the recommendations a little less seriously. At least, this is a finding that many facts have highlighted.
In an equivocal way, the online presence and the respect of the rules concerning cybersecurity, have more or less impact according to the generations. The carelessness and somewhat candid appearance of young people shows a lack of consideration about online safety. On the senior side, it is the shortcomings in learning digital tools that are the cause of some deficiencies in online security measures. There are various reasons why the advice for preserving its digital security is not followed. Social pressure, habituation to lost freedoms, misunderstanding and many other factors have gradually established bad habits.
In an equivocal way, the online presence and the respect of the rules concerning cybersecurity, have more or less impact according to the generations. The carelessness and somewhat candid appearance of young people shows a lack of consideration about online safety. On the senior side, it is the shortcomings in learning digital tools that are the cause of some deficiencies in online security measures. There are various reasons why the advice for preserving its digital security is not followed. Social pressure, habituation to lost of freedoms, misunderstanding and many other factors have gradually established bad habits.
Just like during the Covid-19 crisis, mistakes and non-compliance with the basic rules are the result of various factors. The generational aspect brings various reasons, which makes awareness raising more difficult for the vulgarizers.
6 - Asymptomatic user accounts
If we look back at the feeling linked to the contamination, some Covid-19 patients did not have any noticeable symptoms during their infectious period. This did not make crisis management easier, as even in good faith, some individuals were able to spread the strain of the virus to others.
We find this situation identical with the escalating levels during a targeted assault where access is given little by little without us knowing that it has been compromised. Some digitally infected individuals are not even aware that their tools and software are infected. Subsequently, they will unwittingly transmit the contamination. Faced with this possibility, which is not without precedent, it is all the more important to be aware of this possibility and to maintain rigor when using it on the internet.
7- The basic emotion of online attacks
The scams that took place during the Covid-19 crisis are countless and have particularly targeted vulnerable people. Despite the abject nature of attacking the most sensitive people, it is a well-known fact that scams and attacks are mainly aimed at them.
Emotion plays a fundamental role in many online extortion strategies. Whether it's phishing, which is based only on the stress of lies, or ransomware strategies. The more the pirate captures the emotions of his target, the closer his success. Even if the education and popularization work on the subject has reduced panic phenomena following blackmailing online, this method of emotional hacking is still very present among hackers. Taking the time to educate yourself and rationalize the situation is the only response to such attacks.
8- A question of individual freedom
Finally, we cannot end without talking about the freedom and security dilemma. The Covid-19 crisis, especially among critics of measures taken by government institutions, has often highlighted a true philosophical subject, that of freedom. To what extent must my individual freedom be withdrawn from the common goods? This is a rhetorical question that comes up in any situation where security is required. As a result, cybersecurity is just as impacted.
In fact, to a lesser extent, the measures advocated by the defenders of a secure internet, block out the original vision of a libertarian internet without constraints. Do I really have to put aside certain freedoms, such as posting certain content on social networks, for the sole reason that they could possibly compromise me in the future? This choice is still up to everyone, even if in many cases it can be like playing with fire.
Finally, looking at these eight examples, we see that there are many similarities between the health crisis and digital issues, which are tending to accelerate. This topic should be put on the front of the table for many experts. It makes it possible to carry out prospecting work on the basis of our experience in 2020. The benefits that could be brought to the fight against cybercrime are still diffuse. However, the management of communication and the integration of barrier gestures have been, overall, a success from which we can try to follow our example. What do you think ?