Beware! FG Alerts Nigerians To Existence of Coronavirus Ransomware

By CHIKA CHIMEZIE

The Federal Government has alerted Nigerians to the existence of an

Android-based malicious and fraudulent Coronavirus Ransomware

Application, which claims to provide updates on the virus and

infections near the user.

 

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information

and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the Ransomware blocks access to

users’ personal data and accounts and threatens deletion, unless users

pay One Hundred US Dollars ($100) in Bitcoin within 48 hours.

 

He said the Ransomware App, detected on the website

www.coronavirusapp.site, prompts users to download an Android App

purportedly for coronavirus map tracking and heat map visuals.

 

Alhaji Mohammed said the development confirms warnings against cyber

criminals seeking to exploit the growing spread of the virus for

nefarious gains.

 

He therefore called on the general public not to download the

Ransomware App and to seek updates on the pandemic only from the

appropriate authorities.