Overview
Voice phishing or ‘vishing’ involves fraudulent phone calls to deceive users into revealing sensitive information. In vishing attacks, fraudsters pose as representatives from legitimate organizations, such as banks, tech support, or government agencies, to manipulate users into sharing personal information. These calls often use scare tactics, such as threats of account closure or urgent requests, to push users into compliance. Attackers may use caller ID spoofing to make their calls appear authentic.
Risk factors
Vishing attacks can arise from:
- Over-trust in caller ID.
- Lack of user training on identifying fraudulent calls.
- Insufficient verification procedures for sensitive transactions over the phone.
- Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or non-technical users, who may be more susceptible to manipulation.
Consequences
If an attacker successfully conducts a vishing attack, the following could happen:
- Data breach: Personal or financial information can be stolen.
- Social engineering gateway: Attackers may use the information obtained to launch more targeted attacks.
- Financial loss: Fraudsters can exploit stolen information for unauthorized transactions.
Solutions and best practices
To mitigate the risks associated vishing attacks, organizations should implement the following security measures:
- Caller verification: Encourage users to verify any sensitive requests by independently contacting the organization.
- Awareness campaigns: Educate users about common vishing tactics.
- Authentication protocols: Implement multi-layered verification for all phone-based interactions.
- Monitoring and reporting: Encourage users to report suspicious calls promptly.
- Fraud filters: Use call-blocking apps or carrier-level services to filter known fraudulent numbers.
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