Learn About the New Channels of Cyber Attacks

There’s a war going on every minute of every day in cyberspace. Cyber attacks are now the norm, and as organizations try everything they can to stay a step ahead of the cyber criminals, you’ve got to consider all the new channels that these sophisticated attacks are being used to infiltrate.

These new avenues include text messages and voice calls. You’re already quite familiar with phishing scams and probably see them frequently come through your email inbox and junk folder. Some of them are quite convincing, as are the text message and voice calls you get that are also scams.

Avoiding Vishing Risks

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has been a tremendous advancement in telecommunication technology, but hackers are using it as another new channel for cyber attacks. It has been dubbed “vishing.”

When you let the call go to voicemail, they often leave a message requesting a callback. Whether you take the call or call them back, what they’re doing is presenting another urgent message that prompts the unaware to offer up information that will compromise their security. Some of the calls are automated – the norm today – and people will readily offer up information.

Getting Smished

Smishing is a term used to describe Short Message Services (SMS) phishing. They generally come across as an urgent situation that you “must” take care of immediately. If you click the link or number, you can put yourself in a position where you’re giving them your information.

In some cases, the message might seem personalized. Obviously, it’s coming from a number you don’t recognize, so that should be your first indication that you shouldn’t click on anything in the message. For example, they might say: “Did you really say this?” and include a link that will open the floodgates. Don’t click on it!

Prepare the Workforce

To avoid being a victim of either type of attack, use the same common sense that you’ve been using with phishing scams you see in your email. Be absolutely certain the caller is legitimate before you offer any information. Use Google to investigate any suspicious activity as others might have reported it.

To ensure everyone in your office is aware of these new attacks, hold regular security awareness training programs and send out a companywide message whenever something is learned about an attack that is making its way around other organizations. Furthermore, do your part in fighting against cyber criminals by reporting attacks that come your way.

At AMD Technology, we assist clients with IT and telecommunications services, giving them the upper hand against cyber criminals while providing them with top-notch communication solutions. Our disaster recovery solutions can also be a part of your strategy to reduce risk and protect your data. Contact us, and let’s talk about how we can give you the competitive edge.