In a recent ransomware report, Trend Micro found that ransomware groups used fake applications to target individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The "Attacks from All Angles: 2021 Midyear Cybersecurity Report" found TikTok to be the most impersonated app, with 88 instances of malware applications reported. Following TikTok were apps promising free laptops to students, many of whom attended school remotely during the pandemic. Ransomware groups also impersonated vaccine and testing registration apps.

Of two applications claiming to provide testing registration services, the report found the malicious apps harboring banking malware Cerberus and Anubis.

Although far fewer COVID-19-related malware schemes took place from January to June 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020, the report found over 4.4 million email, URL and malware threats in the first half of 2021.