HÀ NỘI — Several hacker groups have capitalised on the COVID-19 pandemic to launch cyberattacks against organisations in different countries including Việt Nam.

The warning was given on Thursday morning by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

The Department of Cyber Security and Hi-tech Crime Prevention under the MPS has detected a cyberattack campaign, in which malicious code is spread via email. It uses information related to the COVID-19 pandemic to attract people’s attention. 

Recently, hackers have spread malicious code via an email with an attached word file titled “Chi Thi cua Thu tuong nguyen xuan phuc.ink”, which suggests it includes a false order by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc regarding COVID-19.

If users unsuspectedly download the attachment and open it on their computer, the malicious code will be activated. It will be installed on the computer, gets connected to the control server to download other malicious scripts and receive control commands from hackers. At that time, hackers can steal personal data information or continue spreading to other computers.

To prevent hackers, the MPS warns that internet users should be vigilant while accessing the internet, and must not click strange or suspicious links or download files with unclear origin.

Users should install licenced anti-virus softwares and regularly update the databases, security patches for the operating system and applications on their devices.

If the users have opened the attachment, users need to disconnect their devices from the internet and contact their administrator to fix it. — VNS