• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • COVID-19 Update
  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Project of the Week
  • Latest News
  • About Us
    SEARCH
IT Infrastructure, News, Physical Security

Ukraine-related Phishing Emails Up More than 200%

Hackers are exploiting the Ukraine crisis to conduct donation scams, deploy malware and steal credentials, Tessian says.

April 6, 2022 Zachary Comeau Leave a Comment

Ukraine Phishing Email

Similar to how cybercriminals jumped on the COVID-19 and used the pandemic as a useful phishing lure, attackers are exploiting the Ukraine crisis to conduct email-based donation scams, deploy malware and steal credentials.

According to email security firm Tessian, researchers are seeing Ukrainian-themed phishing emails skyrocket, with new domains containing “Ukraine” up more than 200% from last year, with an average of 315 new domains with the besieged country’s name in it registered each day since Feb. 24. The vast majority of those are deemed to be suspicious based on early indicators, the company says.

In a report, Tessian shows that the number of Ukraine-related domains started picking up in February with about 2,500, but then exploded as the Russian invasion of its neighbor matured into March, when there were more than 6,000 such domains registered.

Further analysis of phishing emails flagged by the company shows an upward trend beginning in late February, declining a bit after the first week in March, and then again in early-to-mid March as the Ukraine crisis unfolded.

Much of the exploitation of the crisis is by fraudsters seeking donations purportedly for humanitarian aid causes, such as the Red Cross, UNICEF, Actalliance and the Australian Council for International Affairs. Emails contain logos, messaging and branding associated with those organizations to trick users into believing the emails are legitimate.

The threat actors in these cases are largely requested donations be made in Bitcoin. Some emails even contain QR codes designed to make it easier to send donations that open locally installed payment apps that support Bitcoin.

Other scams are sent from newly registered domains impersonating legitimate organizations, such as the Red Cross in Ukraine. Emails contain links to convincing websites, some of which have links to addresses for cryptocurrency wallets for Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether.

Tessian also details spam campaigns that send links to fraudulent e-commerce sites that push the sale of t-shirts and other items with slogans in support of Ukraine.

If you run across these domains, steer clear of them, Tessian says:

  • redcrossukraine[.]org
  • mimoprint[.]info
  • mabil-store[.]com

Tessian advises users to be cautious of any emails claiming to solicit donations to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Some charities do accept donations made in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, so be extra vigilant when those come to the inbox, the company says.

Tagged With: Email, phishing, Tessian, Ukraine

Related Content:

  • XorDdos, Linux DDoS Trojan Watch Out For This Linux DDoS Trojan, Microsoft…
  • CISA, MSP Is Your IT Department Augmented by an MSP?…
  • digital transformation Three Causes of Pervasive Workplace Friction and How…
  • Department of Justice Ethical Hackers DOJ Officially Revises Policy, Will Not Charge Ethical…

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • The State of the IT Department in 2022

    The role of the IT professional has shifted from one that supports the business to one that is deserving of a seat at the table when it comes to making business decisions. Check out our new report to see what your peers in IT think about top concerns and opportunities in 2022.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the FREE Tech Decisions eNewsletter

Sign up Today!

Latest Downloads

The State of the IT Department in 2022

The role of the IT professional has shifted from one that supports the business to one that is deserving of a seat at the table when it comes to ma...

Hybrid Work Challenges
The Three Most Common Hybrid Work Challenges Two Years Into the Pandemic

Many of us have been working in a hybrid environment for two years now. Our editors thought this would be a good time to take a look at what’s work...

These 10 IT Certifications Are Critical To An IT Pro’s Success in 2022

Here are 10 cloud, data and security certifications that we identify as critical to an IT professional’s resume in 2022 and beyond, according to a ...

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!
Sharp Microsoft Collaboration HQ Logo

Learn More About the
Windows Collaboration Display

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Subscribe to the Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Media Solutions & Advertising
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!

© 2022 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.