Lancashire Police warn businesses to be alert about video conferencing hackers

Lancashire Police has launched an awareness drive among business owners as the use of applications such as Zoom and Skype surges during the coronavirus pandemic.

It comes after at least three Zoom meetings, including a legal education seminar hosted by Lancaster University. were infiltrated by criminals sharing distressing footage of children being sexually abused.

The case was referred to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, which is part of the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Today Olivia Dodding, a Cyber Protect/Prevent officer for Lancashire Police, said: "Video conferencing tools have emerged as a very popular tool for businesses to host online meetings and training.

"However, unfamiliar users can leave themselves vulnerable whilst using these means of communication.

Based on National Guidance, we have been advising businesses and individuals to ensure that their meetings are private by setting a password for the meeting or by utilising the ‘waiting room’ control.

"Users are also encouraged to manage participants by ensuring links and access codes are only sent to those who are intended to participate.

"Reviewing additional security options can also provide users with an additional layer of protection."

Further advice can be found at the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) website www.ncsc.gov.uk

It comes as another sector, healthcare bodies and medical research organisations involved in the coronavirus response, are targeted by malicious cyber campaigns.

Security officials have identified targeting of pharmaceutical companies, research organisations, and local government with 'password spraying' - an attack that attempts to access a large number of accounts or usernames with a few commonly used passwords.

The likely aim is to gather information related to the coronavirus outbreak.