There are many kinds of online scams that lead to malware installation in one’s device. These scams are engineered so intelligently that it is hard to detect them. Phishing is also a kind of online scam that leads users to malicious sites and links so that their systems can be infused with viruses such as ransomware. Anti phishing software help in prevention from such attacks and ensure users’ online security.
Though there are no ways to predict the onset of ransomware on your device, there are ways to avoid falling for malicious links and suspicious emails. However, one can only be saved from such attacks if they are aware of what exactly happens when a phishing attack is lodged.
A brief account of a phishing attack and how it is carried out is given below.
All About Phishing
When a phishing attack is launched on a device, it is usually guided under a known person’s ID. The victim receives an email or a message from a near to real-life personality. The message asks the victim to click on a link in the email/message and fill out their details.
For example, a person might receive emails from a near-to-perfection real-life scammer pretending to be an eCommerce website. The scammer will prompt the users by messages like ‘changing your password’, ‘you need to update your credentials’, etc. and lead them to a page where they are asked to enter their personal information. This information includes name, ID card number, credit card details, etc.
While the naïve customer is busy updating their account information without even realizing that it is a phishing attempt, the scammer uses links from his side to confiscate the customer’s personal information. This includes the credentials mentioned above which can then be used in committing online thefts such as shopping from one’s credit card and money extraction, etc.
The culprit just doesn’t stop there; in fact, they infuse ransomware onto a customer’s device. When the customer is busy entering their information and clicks on links to confirm it, one of these links secretly injects ransomware into their device which then keeps tabs on their information to be stolen in the future.
This is all done so systematically and intelligently that the customer doesn’t even realize that they have been both scammed and infected by a fake ID. The fake ID is created so close to the real one that it is hard to distinguish between the two. Thus, it is important that users keep their eyes open when they receive messages or emails asking them to reveal sensitive information online and report any suspicious accounts as soon as possible.
Conclusion
To stay aware of newer practices adopted by online hackers and scammers, customers must install anti-phishing software and keep themselves updated with recent news about such incidents. It will help them in staying informed and keep a watch out for signs which point out that a certain message or sender is from a potentially harmful source and need not be opened at all.
