Scammers Exploit CrowdStrike Software Update Incident

Scammers Exploit Panic Following Cybersecurity Firm’s Software Update Failure

In the wake of a major incident involving the American cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which deployed a problematic software update on Friday, a wave of scams has emerged. This flawed update resulted in significant disruptions to critical businesses and services globally, prompting opportunistic criminals to take advantage of the ensuing chaos.

Government agencies and corporations are raising alarms about the increased risk of fraud during this tumultuous period. Many individuals, frightened and confused, are seeking assistance to reschedule flights, retrieve banking information, or resolve technology issues, making them vulnerable to malicious schemes. Here are some essential strategies to safeguard against these fraudulent activities.

Scammers See an Opportunity

CrowdStrike is responsible for providing cybersecurity services to approximately 70 percent of Fortune 100 companies. Consequently, the software failure led to extensive operational disruptions, including grounded flights, halted businesses, compromised 911 emergency services, and delayed banking transactions. In this climate of uncertainty, cybercriminals are exploiting the situation to execute various scams.

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has reported a surge in phishing attempts linked to this incident. Similarly, the National Cyber Security Center in the United Kingdom has acknowledged an observable rise in phishing scams referencing the CrowdStrike outage. These scammers may employ tactics that aim to obtain immediate financial gain, such as selling fake airline tickets, or they might seek personal identifying information that could enable future financial access.

What Industries Are Being Targeted?

Travel has emerged as a particularly vulnerable sector, given the widespread flight cancellations that have left many customers frustrated and seeking alternatives. Anton Dahbura, the executive director of the Information Security Institute at Johns Hopkins University, highlighted that the chaos in air travel has attracted the attention of scammers looking to exploit this desperation.

• Be cautious of unsolicited communications offering flight rescheduling or urgent banking assistance.
• Always verify the authenticity of websites and emails before entering personal information.
• Use secure payment methods when making transactions online.
• Report any suspicious activity to relevant authorities immediately.