Vishing (Voice or Phone Call Attacks)
Vishing is a type of social engineering attack where an attacker uses a phone call to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. It's often used in combination with other forms of social engineering, such as phishing emails or texts, to make the attack more convincing and increase the chances of success.
Here are some common tactics used in vishing attacks:
- Phony caller ID: Attackers may spoof their caller ID to make it appear as if the call is coming from a legitimate source, such as a bank or a government agency.
- Urgency and fear: Attackers may try to create a sense of urgency or fear to prompt the victim into taking action. For example, they may claim that the victim's account has been compromised and needs to be updated immediately.
- Fake credentials: Attackers may provide fake credentials or identification to make themselves appear legitimate. For example, they may claim to be a representative of a well-known company or organization.
- Personalization: Attackers may use publicly available information to personalize their approach and make it seem like they have a legitimate reason for calling the victim.
- Scripted dialogue: Attackers may use scripted dialogue to make their calls seem more convincing and professional.
To protect yourself from vishing attacks:
- Don't answer calls from unknown numbers: If you don't recognize the caller ID, it's best to let the call go to voicemail.
- Verify the caller's identity: If you do answer a call, ask the caller to verify their identity and the purpose of the call.
- Don't provide sensitive information: Never provide sensitive information, such as passwords, financial information, or personal information over the phone unless you're certain it's a legitimate call.
- Hang up and call back: If you're unsure about the legitimacy of a call, hang up and call the company or organization back using a known phone number.
- Use technology to your advantage: Consider using call-blocking apps or services to block suspicious calls from reaching your phone.
