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The NCSC has launched a suspicious email reporting service, which asks the public to forward any questionable emails direct to them.

As cybercriminals seek to exploit COVID-19, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has launched a suspicious email reporting service, which asks the public to forward any questionable emails direct to their experts. These emails will then be scanned automatically by the NCSC’s scanning system and will be used to track and remove criminal sites. 

The NCSC has already removed more than 2,000 online scams relating to COVID-19 in the last month, including:

• 471 online shops selling fraudulent items;
• 555 malware distribution sites set up to cause significant damage to visitors;
• 200 phishing sites seeking personal information;
• 832 advance-fee frauds where large sums of money are promised in return for a pre-payment.

The scams rely on several techniques, with some preying on fear of the virus, while others appealed to a sense of greed. Overall, with an increasing number of people working from home and using unfamiliar systems, cyber criminals have found an opportunity and though there has not been an increase in cyber-crime directly, cyber criminals have clearly pivoted to exploit the current pandemic as a theme in scamming and phishing emails. Additionally, the potency of these attacks has increased with one study suggesting that the number of potentially compromised organisational networks in the UK rose by more than 300% from January to March, with these figures reflecting the massive shift to people working remotely over virtual private networks.

techUK is working to support UK organisations mitigate against phishing threats and has created a repository of guidance from the NCSC and our members on how to stay safe online during this pandemic. Please click here to access the available advice.