Minimization of Cyber Security Threats Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

While the world is preoccupied in its struggle with the Coronavirus pandemic, cyber-criminals are busy every day, spreading their own viruses, by phishing emails, data breaches, frauds, denials of service, and taking advantage of the vulnerabilities created by this crisis. In many ways, we, as a nation, are handing over our data without realizing it, without fully thinking it through or even being aware of cyber threats, which will ultimately have a tremendous impact on governments and citizens both personally and at work. The goal of this paper is to investigate the correlation between the cyber-attacks before the coronavirus and during the coronavirus in order to build an understanding of what is happening. To optimize cyber security and provide effective ways to tackle cyber security attacks during COVID-19 or something similar, we need to consider extra precautions and take a more secure approach to protection. To minimize the universal risks of data breaches and other cyber incidents, we need to enforce practical steps to deal with and if possible limit those risks. This requires not only thoughtful consideration but also a good understanding of the opportunities that COVID-19 provides to cybercriminals. The aim of this research paper is to investigate the growth of and reasons for the increase of cyber-attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to make better cyber security decisions, we need to address and maximize the level of cyber security awareness and precaution taken during COVID-19. A set of practical steps to minimize the risk of cyberattack is provided to compensate for the vulnerabilities associated with COVID19.