Search This Blog
Powered by Blogger.

Blog Archive

Labels

Load More
Trendy Right Now

Popular Posts

Showing posts with label Vishing. Show all posts
Vishing Campaign
Cyber Security cybercriminals Information Security Personal Data QR code Quishing Scams Vishing Vishing Campaign

Understanding Vishing and Quishing: Protecting Yourself Against Telephone and QR Code Scams

 

In our digitally interconnected world, cybercriminals continuously devise new methods to exploit technology for their malicious intents. Two prevalent schemes gaining traction are vishing and quishing scams. These fraudulent activities capitalize on telephone calls and QR codes to deceive unsuspecting individuals into revealing sensitive personal and financial information. 

Vishing, derived from "voice" and "phishing," entails perpetrators posing as trusted entities over the phone to trick individuals into sharing confidential data like bank account details or passwords. Employing tactics such as urgent requests or threats of repercussions, these scammers manipulate victims into compliance. For instance, a vishing scam might involve a caller impersonating a bank representative, claiming an account issue that necessitates immediate action from the victim. 

Alternatively, fraudsters may masquerade as technical support agents from reputable companies, coercing victims into paying for unnecessary services or software under false pretenses of fixing non-existent computer problems. Another vishing variant, the "police officer tactic," targets vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, by feigning as law enforcement officers. Fabricating stories about imminent criminal threats, these scammers persuade victims to surrender valuables or cash, ostensibly for protection. 

On the flip side, quishing represents a newer cybercrime form exploiting QR codes to entice victims to fraudulent websites for data compromise. With QR code prevalence in daily life, quishing has become an increasingly insidious threat. Cybercriminals send deceptive emails containing QR codes, enticing recipients to scan them with their smartphones under false pretenses. Once scanned, these QR codes redirect users to malicious websites designed to distribute malware-infected files or capture login credentials entered by unsuspecting victims. 

Seamless QR code scanning integration into daily activities makes it easy for individuals to fall prey to quishing attacks without recognizing the danger. Protecting against vishing and quishing necessitates heightened vigilance and adherence to cybersecurity best practices. When receiving unsolicited phone calls, it's crucial to verify the caller's identity by independently contacting the organization they claim to represent using official contact information. 

Refrain from divulging personal or financial information over the phone unless legitimacy is verified. To guard against quishing scams, exercise caution when scanning QR codes, especially from unfamiliar or suspicious sources. Verify the website URL before entering sensitive information and ensure it's encrypted (https). Additionally, consider enabling multi-factor authentication for online accounts to add an extra security layer against unauthorized access. 

By staying informed about vishing and quishing tactics and implementing proactive security measures, individuals can safeguard themselves from falling victim to these malicious schemes. Awareness and caution remain paramount in protecting personal and financial well-being in today's digital landscape.
Read more »
Vishing
Cyber Fraud Cybersecurity Federal Trade Commission Mobile Security Scammers Vishing

Watch Out for Phone Scams

 


At the extent of people's gullibility, there is an increasing cybersecurity threat known as "vishing" which has become a cause for concern, impacting unsuspecting individuals and even businesses. Vishing, short for voice phishing, involves scammers attempting to trick people into revealing sensitive information over the phone. These calls often impersonate authorities like the IRS or banks, creating urgency to manipulate victims. In 2022 alone, victims reported median losses of $1,400, per the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

What Is Vishing?

Vishing operates on social engineering tactics, relying on psychological manipulation rather than malware. The scammers may pose as government officials or company representatives to extract financial details, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive data. Notably, technological advancements, such as caller ID spoofing and AI-driven voice mimicking, contribute to the rising prevalence of vishing attacks.

Detecting a Vishing Attempt

Identifying vishing calls involves recognizing key signs. Automated pre-recorded messages claiming urgent matters or unsolicited requests for sensitive information are red flags. Scammers may pose as government officials, exploiting the authoritative tone to create a sense of urgency. The use of aggressive tactics during the call is another indicator.

What To Do? 

To safeguard against vishing scams, individuals can adopt practical strategies. Screening calls carefully and letting unknown numbers go to voicemail helps avoid falling prey to scammers who may attempt to spoof caller IDs. Remaining suspicious of unsolicited calls and refraining from sharing personal data over the phone, especially Social Security numbers or passwords, is crucial. Joining the National Do Not Call Registry can also reduce exposure to illegitimate calls.

Preventive Measures

Taking preventive measures can further fortify against vishing attacks. Signing up for the National Do Not Call Registry informs marketers about your preference to avoid unsolicited calls. Additionally, services like AT&T's TruContact Branded Call Display provide an extra layer of security, displaying the name and logo of the business calling AT&T customers.

In case one suspects falling victim to a vishing scheme, prompt action is essential. Contacting financial institutions, placing a security freeze on credit reports, and changing passwords, especially for sensitive accounts, are immediate steps. Reporting any attempted scams to the FTC and FBI adds an extra layer of protection.

As vishing scammers continually refine their tactics, individuals must stay vigilant. Being sceptical of unsolicited calls and refraining from sharing personal information over the phone is paramount in protecting against these evolving threats.

To look at the bigger picture, vishing poses a significant risk in the digital age, and awareness is key to prevention. Individuals can strengthen themselves against these deceptive attacks by staying informed and adopting precautionary measures. Remember, scepticism is a powerful tool in the fight against vishing scams, and every individual can play a role in ensuring their cybersecurity. Stay informed, stay cautious.


Read more »
vishing scams prevention
Cyber Fraud Fraud Scams User Data User Safety User Security Vishing vishing scams prevention

Vishing Scams: Here's How to Spot & Defend Against Them

 

Vishing (voice or VoIP phishing) is a sort of cyber attack that uses voice and telephony technologies to deceive targeted persons into disclosing sensitive data to unauthorized entities. 

The information could be personal, such as a Social Security number or details about a financial account, or it could be tied to a commercial environment. For example, fraudsters may use vishing to entice an employee to provide network access information.

In 2022, "38% of the reports submitted to the FTC by consumers ages 80+ indicated phone calls as the initial contact method," according to Ally Armeson, executive program director of Cybercrime Support Network. (Calls were the most popular mode of contact for this age group.)"

"Vishing, also known as voice phishing," Aremson continues, "is a growing threat in the world of cybercrime, particularly targeting the elderly."  

The scam takes advantage of the fact that the elderly are more likely to trust phone contacts by impersonating false charities, appearing as relatives, or pretending to be trustworthy locations like government agencies. 

As a result, sharing credit card information, social security numbers, login credentials, or other valuable data is likely.

How to defend yourself?

  • Take the effort to confirm the caller's identification by visiting the organization's website.
  • Never give up personal or financial information over the phone. Legitimate organizations will never ask for credit card information, social security numbers, or passwords.
  • Do not be hesitant to call into question the legitimacy of unknown numbers. Legitimate organizations will never ask for credit card information, social security numbers, or passwords.
  • Don't be hesitant to question the legitimacy of unknown phone numbers, and be wary of providing important information over the phone without first verifying the caller's identity.
  • Since caller ID can be easily spoofed, don't rely on it alone to decide whether a call is real. I recommend remaining attentive and exercising caution while disclosing sensitive information.
  • Any unknown phone caller should be routed to voicemail so you can screen the call. Remember to notify the FTC of any unusual calls or suspected fraudulent activities at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • In general, do not give any financial or Social Security information over the phone, by text, or via email.  
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from vishing scams
Read more »
Vishing
CAPTCHA Security Cisco Cyber Security FBI Japan Malicious actor Microsoft 365 Phishing emails URL Vishing

Phishing Emails Faking Voicemails aim to Steal Your Data

 

Vishing is the practice of sending phishing emails to victims that appear to be voicemail alerts to acquire their Microsoft 365 and Outlook login information. Researchers at Zscaler's ThreatLabz said this email campaign, which resembles phishing emails from a few years ago, was discovered in May and is still active. 

The researchers stated this month that the recent wave targets US organizations across various industries, including software security, security solution providers, the military, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and the manufacturing and shipping supply chain. 

An email is where it all begins

Attackers inform recipients of missed voicemails via email notifications that contain links to web-based attachments. Although many people don't check voicemail, audio messages on LinkedIn and WhatsApp have been there for a while, so using them to deceive consumers into clicking a link in an email can be successful. 

Naturally, when the target clicks the link, they are taken to a credential phishing web page hosted on Japanese servers rather than a voicemail at all. The user gets directed to the Microsoft Office website or the Wikipedia page if the encoded email address at the end of the URL is missing.

The user is shown the final page, which is an Office 365 phishing page after they have correctly supplied the CAPTCHA information. The 2020 campaign Zscaler tracked using the same approach. 

"Since they can persuade the victims to open the email attachments, voicemail-themed phishing attacks continue to be an effective social engineering strategy for attackers. This, together with the use of evasion techniques to get around automatic URL inspection tools, aids the threat actor in acquiring the users' credentials more successfully "reports Zscaler ThreatLabz. 

Microsoft 365 Remains a Popular Victim 

In a 2022 Egress research titled "Fighting Phishing: The IT Leader's View," it was found that 40% of firms utilizing Microsoft 365 reported becoming victims of credential theft, and 85% of organizations using Microsoft 365 reported being victims of phishing in the previous 12 months. 

As the majority of businesses quickly transitioned to a primarily remote-work style, with many workers working from their homes, phishing usage continued to increase. It peaked during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. 

A substantial majority of credentials have been successfully compromised by the effort, which can be utilized for a number of different cybercrime endgames. These consist of taking control of accounts to gain access to files and data theft to send malicious emails that appear to be from a legitimate organization, and implanting malware,. The goal is to trick victims into using the same passwords for several accounts by adding the user ID/password combinations to credential-stuffing lists. 

A rich mine of data that may be downloaded in bulk can usually be found in Microsoft 365 accounts, according to Robin Bell, CISO of Egress. Hackers may also use compromised Microsoft 365 accounts to send phishing emails to the victim's contacts in an effort to boost the success of their attacks.
Read more »
Vishing
Customer Care CyberCrime Fraud Hacking phishing Vishing

Don't Dare Cancel Movie Tickets Online; You Could Be Subject To Fraud, "Vishing" To Blame!




A woman got scammed and was fraudulently ripped off of Rs.40,000 after she decided to cancel her movie tickets online. This is what exactly happened.


Reportedly a resident of Jankipuram, Lucknow, the aforementioned lady cancelled her movie tickets that she had booked via a popular website.

Things went sideways, when she called a "customer care executive" to claim a refund. 

This is a classic paradigm for "Vishing". The call version of Phishing, wrests money during the duration of the call.

Despite having cancelled her tickets within the stipulated period, the amount wasn't credited to her account.

She called the "customer care executive" and after he irritably answered she had to file a TOI report.

Furthermore she got a call from someone pretending to be from the ticket booking website she'd used.

The person lured her into giving away the details of her credit cards, putting up an act of helping her.

Pretty soon after the call was hung up, the woman noticed Rs. 40,000 missing from her account.


As customary to a "Vishing" fraud, the victim receives a call where the caller pretends to be a representative of a company.

To keep up the pretense, the caller would ask for the victim's details like name, date of birth and mobile number. Furthermore, the call's made from a landline.

The next step is pretty cliche. The victim ill be asked to reveal the details like their customer ID of online banking or credit/debit cards details.

Then come the bank account details followed by asking for the OTP on the victim's phone.

The main motive behind "Vishing" is hijacking the victim's online bank account and trying to harvest the money on it.

Cyber Tip:  No Legit Bank/Company Representative Would Ever Ask For Your Personal Details. Ever!
Read more »
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)