Security experts from IBM have discovered a form of attack on users in Japan, taking advantage of many people’s concerns about the corona virus that is spreading rapidly worldwide.

Accordingly, the hackers will write emails, with content in Japanese, warning about a new variant of the corona virus that is beginning to infect in Japan and asking email recipients to open the attached text file in the email. to see more details.

If a user accidentally opens a text file attached to an email, a malicious code hidden inside this file will be activated and secretly download a malware called Emotet, allowing hackers to steal information. sensitive information on the victim’s computer or automatically download additional malware such as ransomware ...

"This new way of distributing malware can be significantly more successful because the widespread impact of the corona virus is causing people to worry," said IBM security expert. Experts also warn that in the future, hackers can use similar forms with different languages to spread malware in many other countries around the world, instead of just in Japan as it is today. .

In addition to the Emotet malware, Kaspersky Lab security experts also discovered many types of malware attached to different file types, from Word documents, PDFs, MP4 files, etc. list in the form of instructions on how to prevent and cure corona virus for distribution on the Internet. These malware can steal data as well as encrypt data to blackmail victims once users accidentally activate them on their computers.

Security experts say hackers often take advantage of major, important events and attract attention to spread malicious code, and many users often ignore the security factor when they want to update their websites soon. Latest information about events or events in progress.

To protect themselves, security experts recommend that users absolutely do not open attachments and sent from strange email addresses.

Up to now, the Wuhan virus has infected more than 17,000 people globally, causing 362 deaths, including only one case outside of mainland China, as a 44-year-old man. Chinese citizens travel to the Philippines.