What is Vishing?
Have you ever received a call from someone claiming to be your bank, credit card company, or the IRS, asking you to provide personal information such as your social security number, bank account details, or passwords? This is a classic example of vishing – a type of social engineering attack that has become increasingly prevalent in recent years.
Vishing is like the chameleon of cybercrime, constantly adapting to new technologies and tactics to deceive individuals and organizations. So, what is vishing exactly? It’s a combination of the words “voice” and “phishing,” where criminals use their social engineering skills to create a sense of urgency or fear in their victims, leading them to disclose sensitive information over the phone. Vishing scams can be difficult to detect, as they often involve a spoofed or fake caller ID, making it appear as if the call is coming from a legitimate source.
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), vishing attacks resulted in over $72 million in losses in 2020. It’s a growing threat that affects individuals and organizations of all sizes. In this article, we’ll explore what vishing is and how you can protect yourself and your organization from falling victim to these types of scams.
Tips To Avoid Vishing Scams
So, how can you protect yourself and your organization from vishing attacks? Here are some tips:
- Be suspicious of unsolicited calls: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a representative from a bank or other organization, be cautious. Don’t give out any personal information until you can verify their identity.
- Verify the caller’s identity: If you’re unsure if a caller is legitimate, hang up and call the organization’s official phone number. Don’t use the number provided by the caller.
- Train employees on security awareness: Establish security awareness training programs to teach employees how to identify and respond to vishing attacks.
- Implement security policies: Establish clear policies for handling sensitive information over the phone. For example, never provide credit card information or passwords over the phone unless it’s absolutely necessary.
- Use Multifactor Authentication: Implement multifactor authentication for all sensitive accounts and transactions. This adds an extra layer of security and makes it more difficult for attackers to gain unauthorized access.
By taking these steps, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to vishing attacks and help protect yourself and your organization from cybercrime.
Be Vigilant and Aware
Vishing attacks are a serious threat to both individuals and organizations, and they’re not going away anytime soon. As the world becomes increasingly digital and remote, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant and aware of these types of scams. By taking steps to protect yourself and your organization, such as implementing security awareness training and establishing clear policies for handling sensitive information over the phone, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to vishing attacks. Remember, cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics, so staying informed and proactive is key to staying safe in the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity. At Isogent, we protect hundreds of organizations from all types of cyberthreats including vishing.
Protect Your Business from Vishing with Isogent’s Synchronized Security Stack
With our Synchronized Security Stack, your organization will be protected from every type of cyberattack and threat. Set up a technology or security assessment today with one of our experts to see how protected your business really is.
