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Lawyers and their clients worldwide are responding to the coronavirus outbreak that, since December, has killed more than 67,760 people and infected more than 1.21 million. Law.com’s reporters around the world are covering the virus’ impact on law firm operations, client business, law schools, and lawyer and staffer safety. Here’s a collection of our coverage, which we’re continuously updating.

Analysis

Coronavirus Outbreak May Also Put Attorneys at Greater Risk for Cyber Infection

With many law firms working remotely due to the coronavirus, attorneys may be prime targets for hackers and phishing campaigns looking to take advantage of the disruption.

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As the novel coronavirus pandemic has continued to unfold across the U.S., law firm chief information officers are being confronted by a new reality where remote working is par for the course—and cyberthreats are knocking directly at their attorneys’ front door. Last week, BBC News reported that hackers are taking advantage of the health scare to attach malware to faux reference materials and other deceptively legitimate resources that people may be seeking out.

For law firm CIOs, the immediate threat isn’t to the network infrastructure or cybersecurity mechanisms they have in place, but to the partners, attorneys and other human resources who, for the time being, are no longer working under the same roof. Some have already witnessed attempts by hackers to capitalize on the pandemic firsthand.

“Now is a time where people need to be even more vigilant. We’ve seen phishes noting ‘COVID-19 Update, Open Immediately’ or ‘click here to see updates about coronavirus’; that type of thing,” said Jim McKenna, CIO at Fenwick & West.

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Frank Ready

Frank Ready

Frank Ready is a reporter on the tech desk at ALM Media. He can be reached at [email protected]

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