PERILS OF SIGNING ONTO COVID TRACING APP

   Malicious computer ransomware specifically targeting Canadians was embedded in a fake COVID-19 contact-tracing app disguised as official government of Canada software.

   The bogus application for mobile phones was advertised as Health Canada-   approved and cleverly distributed through coronavirus-themed websites that look remarkably like formal government of Canada sites.
   Downloading the bogus app activates a hidden program called CryCryptor that hijacks the user’s data and holds it for ransom. The hackers demand payment for releasing the private data files.