What Is Vishing and a Vishing Attack?
Vishing, short for "voice phishing," involves defrauding individuals over the phone, coaxing them into revealing sensitive information. In this vishing definition, the attacker aims to obtain the victim's data for personal gain, typically to secure a financial advantage.
A vishing attack shares the same end goal as many cyberattacks. In today’s digital business and financial landscape, criminals seek access credentials, credit card numbers, or personal data to commit identity theft or financial fraud.
Differences Between Vishing and Phishing
Vishing, phishing, and smishing are all cyberattacks with similar objectives but different methods. Vishing occurs via voice calls over landlines, cellular networks, or VoIP systems. In contrast, phishing is conducted through email. This comprehensive phishing guide explains the various phishing techniques used by cybercriminals.
In phishing and vishing scams, attackers often employ “baiting.” Baiting involves enticing victims with fake promises to trigger their curiosity or greed. Once the attacker has the victim's attention, they exploit this to extract private information. Thus, both vishing and phishing are social engineering attacks, manipulating the target's emotions to achieve their goals.
Reasons Behind Vishing Attacks
Vishing attacks are primarily conducted to obtain sensitive financial information or personal data from the phone call recipient. Unlike face-to-face interactions where physical credentials can be presented, phone interactions rely solely on verbal verification, making vishing attacks easier to execute.
Common Types of Vishing Attacks
Compromised Bank or Credit Card Account: Attackers can access funds using bank account routing numbers and personal account details, or make purchases with stolen credit card information.
Unsolicited Loan or Investment Offers: Vishers lure victims with fraudulent investment or loan offers, extracting personal financial information.
Medicare or Social Security Scams: Attackers target the sick or elderly, leveraging their condition to obtain private data.
IRS Tax Scams: Scammers exploit fear of IRS debt collection, offering false solutions or refunds to acquire personal information.
Identifying a Vishing Attack
Sense of Urgency: Vishing attacks create panic or pressure, offering time-sensitive solutions to fabricated problems.
Requests for Personal Information: Be skeptical if a caller asks for personal data; it could be a vishing scam.
Claims to Represent Trusted Organisations: Genuine representatives will already have your personal information.
Steps to Prevent a Vishing Attack
Do Not Answer Suspicious Calls: Let unknown numbers go to voicemail.
Join the National Do Not Call Registry: Reduce telemarketing and vishing calls by registering your number.
Hang Up: When in doubt, end the call.
Avoid Responding to Automated Prompts: Refuse to press buttons or answer questions from automated calls.
Verify Caller Identity: Conduct online searches to confirm the caller’s legitimacy.
Recovering from a Vishing Attack
Alert Financial Institutions: If you provided financial information, notify the relevant institutions immediately.
Inform Your Organisation’s Incident Response Team: Report any suspected vishing attempts to them.
Use Virus Protection: Protect your personal computer from malware that could facilitate future attacks.
Seek Advice from Financial Institutions: They can guide you on protecting your data and maintaining secure access to their services.
Have you fallen victim to a Vishing Attack or seek further information to bolster your defences against cyber threats? Don't wait until it's too late – reach out to us now!
Our dedicated team at CYB3R is here to assist you in navigating the complexities of cyber security. Whether you've experienced an attack firsthand or simply wish to enhance your knowledge and safeguards, we're ready to provide expert guidance and support.
Contact us today to fortify your digital resilience and safeguard your valuable assets against malicious vishing schemes. Together, let's combat cyber threats and secure a safer digital future. Fill in the contact form below and a member of our team will be in touch.