We have been advised by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS) of an active, sophisticated cyber campaign targeting COVID-19 researchers. The campaign begins with phishing email and includes the use of ransomware that could hinder research activity. The CCCS are asking researchers, especially those working on COVID-19 related research, to exercise elevated levels of caution with email attachments and links. More information about the attack is below.

The CCCS has additional guidance on their website about how individuals can protect themselves against these kind of attacks at https://cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/cyber-hygiene-covid-19.

If you have additional questions, let us know by emailing askit@yorku.ca. You can also contact the CCCS at  contact@cyber.gc.ca or 1-833-CYBER-88 (1-833-292-3788).