BAIT AND HOOK ON THE INTERNET[VISHING]

FISHING ON THE WATERS OF THE INTERNET.

On this article you will learn actionable steps you can take to protect yourself from vishing attacks .The name sounds weird but the name originates from 'voice' and 'phishing' ,you might have an idea of what this is but let's dive in .

VISHING

Vishing, short for "voice phishing," is a type of social engineering attack where attackers use phone calls to trick individuals into providing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details. Vishing attacks often involve a caller posing as a trustworthy entity, such as a bank, government agency, or IT support, to manipulate the target.

Here are some tips to help protect yourself from vishing attacks:

Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Calls:If you receive an unexpected call requesting sensitive information, be cautious. Legitimate organizations usually don't ask for sensitive information over the phone.

Verify Caller Identity:Ask for the caller's name, organization, and contact information. Use official contact details from the organization's website to verify the caller's identity. Do not use the contact details provided by the caller.

Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information:Never provide sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details, over the phone unless you initiated the call and are certain of the other party's legitimacy.

Be Wary of Urgent or Threatening Language:Vishing attacks often use urgency or threats to pressure individuals into taking immediate action. If a caller is creating a sense of urgency, take a step back and verify the situation independently.

Verify Requests for Payment or Personal Information:If the caller requests payment or personal information, independently verify the legitimacy of the request through official channels before taking any action.

Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):Enable 2FA on your accounts to add an extra layer of security. Even if a visher obtains your password, they would still need the secondary form of verification.

Educate Yourself and Others:Stay informed about common vishing tactics and educate friends, family, and colleagues. Awareness is a key defense against social engineering attacks.

Register for Do Not Call Lists:Consider registering your phone number on official "Do Not Call" lists to reduce the number of unsolicited calls you receive.

Report Suspicious Calls:Report any suspicious or phishing calls to your phone carrier and relevant authorities. Reporting helps in tracking and preventing such attacks.

Remember, attackers may use various tactics to manipulate individuals, so staying vigilant and being cautious during phone calls is crucial in preventing vishing attacks. If in doubt, always verify the legitimacy of the call independently .