• **Source**: Article titled "The Impact of COVID-19 on Cybercrime: A Global Perspective" published in the Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management (DOI: 10.1177/09567976221108944). • **Authors**: Dr. Max Kilger (University of Kent, UK) and Dr. Michael McGuire (University of Surrey, UK). • **Publication Date**: April 2022. • **Main Thesis**: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the landscape of cybercrime, with an increase in certain types of attacks and a shift in criminal strategies due to global lockdowns and increased remote work. • **Key Findings**: - **Remote Work**: The sudden shift to remote work led to an increase in phishing attacks targeting employees working from home, with a 667% increase in phishing websites related to COVID-19 between January and April 2020. - **Cybercrime-as-a-Service (CaaS)**: The pandemic has led to an increase in CaaS offerings, making it easier for less tech-savvy criminals to launch sophisticated attacks. The average price of a CaaS subscription decreased by 20% between 2019 and 2020, making these services more accessible. - **Ransomware**: While the overall number of ransomware attacks decreased in 2020, the sophistication and impact of these attacks increased, with higher ransoms demanded and more frequent data leaks. - **Cryptojacking**: There was a significant increase in cryptojacking incidents, with a 75% increase in the number of unique IP addresses associated with cryptojacking between Q1 and Q2 2020. • **Evidence**: The authors draw on data from various sources, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), and the cybersecurity firm Check Point. • **Counterpoints**: The article acknowledges that some types of cybercrime, such as credit card fraud, may have decreased during the pandemic due to reduced physical activity. • **Conclusions**: The pandemic has accelerated existing trends in cybercrime, such as the rise of CaaS and the increasing sophistication of attacks. It has also created new opportunities for criminals, such as targeting remote workers and exploiting pandemic-related fears and anxieties. • **Author Insights**: The authors emphasize the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime, particularly in light of the global nature of the pandemic and the increased interconnectedness of digital systems. • **Why Saved**: This article was saved to stay informed about the evolving threat landscape of cybercrime, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides valuable insights into how cybercriminals adapt their strategies in response to global events and highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, especially in the context of remote work.

• **Article Title:** 'Booze Patrol' Sheriffs Had ‘Man-Cave’ Full of Stolen COVID Liquor — But Escaped Criminal Charges • **Source:** The Daily Beast, published on March 23, 2022 • **Author:** Matt Campbell • **Key Finding:** Two sheriffs in Florida, who were part of a task force enforcing COVID-19 lockdowns, were found to have a secret 'man-cave' filled with stolen liquor, but they avoided criminal charges due to a lack of evidence tying them directly to the thefts. • **Background:** The sheriffs, Adam Frost and James Potter Jr., were part of the 'Booze Patrol' task force that targeted bars and restaurants violating COVID-19 lockdown orders in 2020. • **The 'Man-Cave' Discovery:** During a search of their office, investigators found a hidden room containing over 2,000 bottles of high-end liquor, including bourbon, tequila, and vodka, worth an estimated $30,000. • **Stolen Liquor:** Many of the bottles were found to have been taken from businesses that were raided by the task force, with some owners recognizing their own stolen inventory. • **Sheriffs' Defense:** Frost and Potter claimed they had no knowledge of the liquor and that it must have been planted by someone seeking to frame them. They also argued that the search of their office was illegal. • **Investigative Findings:** Despite evidence suggesting the liquor was taken during raids, prosecutors couldn't prove that Frost and Potter were directly involved in the thefts. Moreover, the search warrant used to find the liquor was deemed invalid, leading to the dismissal of criminal charges. • **Internal Affairs Investigation:** The sheriffs were eventually fired for misconduct, but not for the liquor thefts. Instead, they were dismissed for lying about their involvement in a separate incident. • **Public Outcry:** The case sparked outrage among Florida residents, with many questioning the lack of criminal charges and the apparent impunity enjoyed by the sheriffs. • **Author's Insight:** Campbell notes the irony of the situation, with the 'Booze Patrol' sheriffs being caught with a cache of stolen liquor while they were supposed to be enforcing lockdown rules and preventing such activities.