Why geopolitical turmoil is a gift for scammers, and how to stay safe

It didn’t take long for tensions in the Middle East to spill over into the cyber domain. There’s been significant disruption of a major US medtech provider, the compromise of OT assets in US critical infrastructure, and ongoing ransomware attacks on businesses by Iran-nexus groups. But what about regular internet users? The truth is that geopolitical tension and conflict offers potentially rich pickings for opportunistic online scammers.

Fraudsters know that these events are a great way to grab the attention of potential victims, and exploit their fear and sympathy in equal measure. The backdrop of geopolitical turmoil, whether it’s Ukraine or Iran, adds weight to the stories they spin in order to achieve their goals.

What scams prosper in times of turmoil?

Whatever tactics they choose, the end goal is usually the same: to harvest your credentials and/or personal and financial data. Or to trick you ...