Voice phishing, also known as vishing, is a social engineering attack that uses voice communication technology to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords, and other confidential information.
Vishing attacks can come in many forms, including phone calls, voice messages, and interactive voice response (IVR) systems. Attackers often use sophisticated techniques to manipulate victims into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that could lead to financial loss or data breaches.
Here are some examples of voice phishing:
- A scammer posing as a bank representative calls customers and asks for their personal information, such as account numbers and passwords.
- An attacker sends a voice message claiming to be from a credit card company, stating that the recipient’s account has been compromised and instructing them to call a specific phone number to resolve the issue. When the recipient calls the number, they are directed to an IVR system that requests personal and financial information.
- A vishing attack might also involve a scammer posing as a technical support representative for a software or hardware company, tricking victims into downloading malware or revealing sensitive information about their device or network.
The risks associated with vishing can be severe, ranging from financial losses to identity theft and data breaches. Victims may also experience emotional distress and loss of trust in organizations they thought were legitimate.
To learn more about voice phishing, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest vishing techniques and best practices for preventing attacks. You can find useful resources and information from reputable sources such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and cybersecurity organizations such as the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA). Additionally, many cybersecurity training and awareness programs offer social engineering and vishing prevention courses.
