Alert! Hackers are using coronavirus maps to attack your computer, steal information

If there weren't enough ways already to loot people's money online, hackers have now started to attack users' computers and steal important information using coronavirus maps. According to Shai Alfasi, a security researcher at Reason Labs, hackers are using these maps to steal information of users including user names, passwords, credit card numbers, and other info stored in your browser.

The fraudsters have designed websites related to coronavirus, asking users to download an application that keeps you updated on the outbreak. The application shows you a map of how COVID-19 is spreading. It is used by the hackers to generate a malicious binary file and install it on your computer. Even though the maps are real, they are generated from a different URL from the original source.

As of now, only the Windows computers have been hit but Alfasi expects attackers to work on a new version that might affect other systems too. The researcher said that a malicious software known as AZORult is being used for this purpose. The software steals data from your computer and infect it with other malware as well.

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The software is allegedly used to steal browsing history, cookies, ID/passwords, cryptocurrency and more.

Coronavirus impact

The Global stock markets suffered a historic setbacks on Friday over the coronavirus crisis. The virus has killed nearly 5,000 and infected sport, schools and society across the planet. Japan's stock market fell more than 10 percent on Friday, following the worst day on Wall Street since the crash of 1987 as traders scrambled to sell everything on fears the virus will catapult the world into a deep recession.

Meanwhile, Italy has become the second country after China to report over 1000 deaths due to coronavirus. The coutry has reported 1,016 deaths, adding that at least 15,113 people are infected with the virus. Civil protection officials say 1,258 have recovered, although the number of cases has gone up by 2,651 since Wednesday. Italy is the world`s worst-hit country after China.