NEWSROOM

Cyber pirates started targeting benevolent citizens after the Izmir earthquake. Saying that natural disasters are a profite opportunity for cyber attackers, Berqnet Firewall General Manager Hakan Hintoğlu said, "Would you like to be an acute volunteer?" or your personal data may be stolen with trap forms such as "Join AFAD". " said.

*** This release is originally published in Turkish.
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ISTANBUL (TR) - Especially during extraordinary processes such as natural disasters, many people mobilize to help the victims. An example of this is experienced in Izmir, which was shaken by an earthquake of 6.6 magnitude. According to current data, while the search and rescue efforts continue after the earthquake in which 114 people lost their lives and 1035 people were injured, voluntary citizens also support the studies, meet the needs of earthquake victims in the region or provide financial assistance. However, cyber attackers see these activities done with human feelings as an opportunity for profiteering.

The local cyber security products manufacturer Berqnet Firewall General Manager Hakan Hintoğlu, who warned the citizens by saying that the Izmir earthquake had activated cyber pirates, said, “While fraudsters try to collect money by taking advantage of the emotional gap created by people after the natural disaster, cyber attackers have ways to steal personal data. At this point, you may be the target of hackers who want to steal your personal data as well as being defrauded. " said.

"Would you like to be a volunteer?" Watch out for trap forms like

Referring to the fraud methods that came to the fore after the earthquake, Berqnet Firewall General Manager Hakan Hintoğlu said, “Recently, it was stated that the AKUT Search and Rescue Association needed some products via social media and phone applications, and the posts asking to donate to the iban number were on the agenda; The association warned the citizens not to respect these posts unless they were published on its official site. We see that cyber attackers, who are after hitting people from their weak points in times of solidarity, are not only after money but also personal data with calls such as “Donate to İzmir” and “Help to İzmir.” Therefore, it is not shared on official websites and official social media accounts. It is very important not to believe such calls to the process and not to click on any shared link because your personal data may be stolen with trap forms such as "Would you like to be an acute volunteer?", "Join AFAD". " he warned.

"Social events are always an opportunity for the aggressors"

Indicating that social and mass events developing in our country and in the world are always an opportunity for cyber attackers, Hintoğlu said: "We also see this in the coronavirus process. With the onset of the pandemic, many ransomware attacks are planned by taking coronavirus-containing domains, and coronavirus-themed domains have 50 percent more malware risk. Because in such sensitive times, cyber pirates never delay in setting new traps. For example, during the pandemic period, cyber hackers, who called themselves 'CIMER Announcement Group', started to use applications with malware under the name of 'real-time coronavirus maps' to capture personal data such as identity and bank information of citizens. "Cyber ​​attackers, who take advantage of the increased sensitivity during the periods of natural disasters such as earthquakes, continue to intensify their activities in such periods and continue to threaten the people and institutions with low awareness." He emphasized the importance of the issue.

Cybersecurity is vital

Hakan Hintoğlu pointed out that unconscious behaviors and thought negligence in the internet environment can lead to irreversible material and moral losses and stated that taking precautions is vital in protecting against cyber attacks, just like natural disasters. "Internet users can allow their computers to be encrypted with a single click and their sensitive information to be seized by attackers by being deceived by various promises," Hintoğlu said. Cyber ​​hackers are born in difficult processes, especially when natural disasters such as earthquakes are motivated by emotions. In many ways, such as membership to the association, participation in volunteer work, membership fees, not only the money of the citizens, but also card passwords, credentials, passwords and account information are stolen. The process of demanding ransom that begins afterwards can cause irreversible losses. In order to prevent these losses, individual cyber security awareness should be increased. It is vital to use solutions such as firewalls and antiviruses that allow cyber security measures to be taken. " He spoke in the form.