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Coronavirus Pandemic a Prime Situation for Brand Phishing

Technology News

We are in unprecedented times as COVID-19 spreads across the globe. Students of all ages are forced to attend classes online from home. Office workers are now forced to work from home. Because people are now forced to stay home in this era of “Social Distancing,” there has been an uptick in finances as less money is being spent by families. People are also streaming their entertainment services more as well. These are prime situations for cybercriminals, in particular, brand phishers.

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What is brand phishing?

Brand phishing attacks are when a cybercriminal tries to imitate the official website of a well-known brand using a similar domain name or URL as well as using a site design that looks almost identical to the brand site they’re imitating. Cybercriminals use this technique to steal sensitive information from the people that they are targeting. This information could be credit card information, bank account information, personal details, etc. They will try and get this information through imitation by email, mobile, or fraud websites. Anyone and any business is susceptible to brand phishing, so everyone should be aware of brand phishing; but some people and business are more at risk than others.

Who is susceptible to brand phishing?

The top three types of websites that are susceptible to phishers are technology sites, banking sites, and other media sites. Sites that require you to enter personal information, credit card information, etc. are going to be the ones that are targeted by cyber criminals. Although these are the top three websites being targeted by the cyber criminals, nobody is immune from brand phishing.

What brands are known for being faked by phishers?

In Quarter 1 of 2020, Apple was the number one faked brand for phishing while Netflix was a close second. Both of those companies require credit card information to be put on the accounts of the users, which makes them prime candidates to be imitated by phishers. Other top companies that were faked in Q1 of 2020 were Yahoo, Paypal, Chase, and Amazon. Just like Apple and Netflix, each one of these websites has personal information, including credit card info. Of course not all emails and notifications from these brands are going to be from phishers; just look out for the emails or notifications that look suspicious. Again, it comes down to being aware of brand phishing as no brand or company will be immune to this.

During this unusual time, cyber criminals are licking their lips with the possibility of acquiring so much information from so many people due to the stay at home orders. There’s no way to prevent it from happening, but being cautious and being aware of brand phishing is the best defense against it. Be vigilant and be cautious when you are disclosing any type of personal information online.

Don’t become phish bait!

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SIM cards are necessary to operate most modern mobile devices. SIM stands for “subscriber identity module”. As anyone who’s had trouble with their SIM card can tell you, this tiny piece of tech is majorly important. It connects the user to their network, and therefore their data. Among the data linked to your SIM is one of your most valuable pieces of personally identifying information: your phone number.

A new type of social engineering attack called SIM swapping is becoming more commonHacked employees are a danger to your company’s data, so it is important to know what to look out for and keep your team up to date on best practices in mobile cybersecurity. Read on for all the details of how you can protect your network from SIM swapping scams.

SIM Swapping Defined

SIM swapping occurs when a criminal contacts the phone company and convinces the employee that they are the owner of the phone and need a transfer to a new device due to damage or it being lost.

The scammer will ask the cell phone provider to activate a new SIM card connected to your phone number on a new phone that they now own. If the scammer is successful, they will receive all of your texts, phone calls, and data.

In some circumstances, the scam occurs on the inside, where employees of the phone company help make the switch, making them part of the scam.

What Happens When You Are SIM Swapped?

Once the scammer gains control of your phone number, they can receive your text messages. With access to your texts, this can allow criminals to log into your other accounts and receive verification codes needed to log in. This occurs if text messages are used as a form of multi-factor authentication.

With this information, scammers could log into bank accounts to steal money, or take over social media and email accounts. There is also a chance they could lock you out of an account completely by changing the password.

Protecting Yourself from SIM Swapping

Protect your device and data from SIM swapping with these tips from ThrottleNet’s IT security pros.

  1. Do not reply to text messages or phone calls that request personal information.
    These texts or calls could be phishing attempts by scammers looking to get your cellular, bank, or credit card account information. Instead, contact the company directly through a phone number or website you know is legitimate if you receive a suspicious text message or phone call.
  2. Limit the amount of personal information you post on social media platforms.
    Avoid posting your full name, address, or phone number. Posting this information can make it easier for scammers to steal your identity.
  3. Set up a PIN or passcode on your cellular account.
    Creating a PIN or passcode can act as an added layer of protection, which is another piece of information a scammer would need to obtain prior to stealing your identity. PINs or passcodes can also help protect an account from any unauthorized changes.Since setting up a PIN/passcode differs depending on the cell phone company, be sure to contact your provider to see what steps to take to do so.
  4. Use an authentication application or security key.
    A newer way to authenticate your identity online is by using security keys. Security keys are small USB-powered devices that work like an actual key to your accounts by inserting them into your computer when logging in. Some security keys work with both computers and mobile devices.

What To Do If You Become A Victim of SIM Swapping

If you’re the target of a SIM swap scam, there are three important steps you should follow to help mitigate the damage and re-secure your information.

  • Contact your cell phone provider immediately to take back control of your phone number.
  • Once you regain access, change your account passwords to prevent any other issues.
  • Check bank, credit card and other accounts for unauthorized changes and charges, and report them to your company.

For more information on SIM Swapping and other ways to protect your information, contact ThrottleNet today

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What is e-Skimming?

e-Skimming, or web skimming, is a method a cybercriminal performs in order to get information from a credit cardholder. It can occur any time a cardholder uses a form of electronic payment to pay for something. Essentially, e-Skimming is a type of internet fraud that occurs when the payment page of a website is compromised. Once it is compromised, malware is added to the site to steal payment information.

These cybercriminals that are watching our online shopping carts are getting our information in real-time, making it more valuable in the black market. When an online shopper enters and submits their credit card information on the e-commerce site, their information is also transmitted to a server that is controlled by the cybercriminal.

The online shopper would not be aware that their personal information was stolen since they will receive the product that they ordered; however, their bank will discover the fraudulent activity later, when the crime has already been committed.

Keeping Your e-Store Safe

Any e-commerce site that accepts online payments is at risk for e-Skimming, which makes it important for you to take preventative measures. Here are some security measures and tips to follow:

  • Keep software current and up to date
  • Enable multi-factor authentication for all connected devices
  • Segregate network functions to limit accessibility
  • Keep all systems up to date with patches
  • Keep anti-virus and malware updated
  • Change default login credentials
  • Continue educating your employees
  • Create unique passwords
  • Report any online fraud to FBI at www.ic3.gov

Other security measures to follow include entering your credit card once for a site rather than repeatedly, using Apple Pay or PayPal, shop on well-known sites that are reputable, and paying close attention to credit card or bank account statements to see any possibility of misuse.

For websites to be compromised, their security must be weak. Make sure your e-Store has the proper security to be protected from e-Skimming by contacting ThrottleNet today. You don’t want to fall victim to e-Skimming, so get the cybersecurity you need from ThrottleNet!

Keeping your mobile devices secure is essential since a huge amount of time each day is spent on them. Opposite of what people might think, mobile security requires a different approach compared to computer security. This requires individuals to continue learning about mobile security.

Tips for Mobile Security

First and foremost, be aware of the permissions allowed for mobile devices on your network. Many times, people are unaware of the terms and conditions for many software downloads, registrations, etc. Skimming over these permissions could lead to security risks and has the possibility to release your personal information.

Other tips for Mobile Security include:

  • Set up a passcode
  • Keep a remote backup for your data
  • Stay logged out of your accounts
  • Keep your operating system up to date

WiFi Phishing

WiFi Phishing continues to be a dangerous social engineering attack because hackers can bypass security altogether. It is important to know how to spot this type of attack because hackers position themselves to look just like the network connection you normally interact and users easily hand over login information exposing their network and information.

Tips to Follow:

  1. Be aware of any unsecured WiFi network
  2. Double-check the name of the network
  3. Don’t enter personal data on a public network

How to Spot Phishing Emails:

  • Spelling errors
  • A sense of urgency
  • Links or attachments
  • Odd “sent from” addresses

What is Smishing?

Smishing is a form of phishing and is essentially the same as phishing, but instead, cybercriminals send fraudulent (SMS) text messages to trick you into clicking a link that can infect your mobile device. Smishing has become a growing threat to online security.

How Would I Know That I’m Being Smished?

The main element to staying safe on your mobile devices is to only reply to text messages from people you know. Basic precautions you can take when keeping your mobile devices secure include not clicking on texts that you received from a phone number that does not look like one, not clicking on links from people you do not know, and never installing applications from an SMS rather than the official app store.

Are you worried your IT systems aren’t protecting you from cybercriminal attacks? Contact ThrottleNet today to learn more about the services we offer and how we can keep you protected. Keep your personal information secure, contact ThrottleNet today for all your mobile security needs!

SIM cards are necessary to operate mobile phones and connects the user to a network of their choosing. SIM, which stands for subscriber identity module, not only allows access to the network, but it also contains your phone number. A new type of social engineering, SIM swapping, has become a problem over recent years.

SIM Swapping Defined

SIM swapping occurs when a criminal contacts the phone company and convinces the employee that they are the owner of the phone and need a transfer to a new device due to damage or it being lost.

The scammer will ask the cell phone provider to activate a new SIM card connected to your phone number on a new phone that they now own. If the scammer is successful, they will receive all of your texts, phone calls, and data.

In some circumstances, the scam occurs on the inside, where employees of the phone company help make the switch, making them part of the scam.

What Happens When You Are SIM Swapped?

Once the scammer gains control of your phone number, they can receive your text messages. With access to your texts, this can allow criminals to log into your other accounts and receive verification codes needed to log in. This occurs if text messages are used as a form of multi-factor authentication.

With this information, scammers could log into bank accounts to steal money, or take over social media and email accounts. There is also a chance they could lock you out of an account completely by changing the password.

Protecting Yourself from SIM Swapping

  1. Do not reply to text messages or phone calls that request personal information.
    These texts or calls could be phishing attempts by scammers looking to get your cellular, bank, or credit card account information. Instead, contact the company directly through a phone number or website you know is legitimate if you receive a suspicious text message or phone call.
  2. Limit the amount of personal information you post on social media platforms.
    Avoid posting your full name, address, or phone number. Posting this information can make it easier for scammers to steal your identity.
  3. Set up a PIN or passcode on your cellular account.
    Creating a PIN or passcode can act as an added layer of protection, which is another piece of information a scammer would need to obtain prior to stealing your identity. PINs or passcodes can also help protect an account from any unauthorized changes.Since setting up a PIN/passcode differs depending on the cell phone company, be sure to contact your provider to see what steps to take to do so.
  4. Use an authentication application or security key.

What To Do If You Become A Victim of SIM Swapping

If you’re the target of a SIM swap scam:

  • Contact your cell phone provider immediately to take back control of your phone number. Once you regain access, change your account passwords to prevent any other issues.
  • Check bank, credit card and other accounts for unauthorized changes and charges, and report them to your company.

For more information on SIM Swapping and other ways to protect your information, contact ThrottleNet today!

ThrottleNet is known to offer high quality IT support, while also being a well-rounded team of experts that are there to help you and your business the most effective way possible. ThrottleNet’s full-time IT department is fast, friendly, and fixes tough issues with ease. Some IT service companies today don’t offer the support needed for businesses to run smoothly. ThrottleNet doesn’t just set you up, instead we support you throughout, and do it very well.

ThrottleNet’s Attentive & Helpful Team

Your IT support service should be properly staffed. This includes many trained employees that have the ability to handle any questions that clients might have. ThrottleNet can address the major problems initially, and then proceed with fixing the issues of lower priority efficiently. The team at ThrottleNet are able to provide solutions just as fast as issues emerge.

This is what our clients have to say:

“We LOVE ThrottleNet! We called with a computer problem and your team immediately resolved the issues, were prompt and very friendly. We have never had this type of experience with any other computer company we have worked with in the past. We are relieved that another vet recommended ThrottleNet to the Bridgeton Animal Hospital. You guys are the best!” – Dr. Kay Tung, Veterinarian at Bridgeton Animal Hospital

IT Support When You Need It

Do you feel like you tend to wait awhile for IT support? If there is one thing that is definite in any business, it is that they all need IT support that is reliable. Many complaints from clients show how their previous IT support service is slow. This can undoubtedly impact your business’s functionality and slow down daily activities.

ThrottleNet fixes problems rapidly, while also doing a good job. Just look to see what our clients are saying:

“ThrottleNet makes IT completely hassle free. Their proactive approach to network efficiency and security is integral to our achievement in the B2B marketplace. Delivering leading-edge online storefronts for enterprise-level businesses is at the heart of our print and marketing solutions. Therefore, a stable network and reliable connectivity is vital to the success of our business. Their cloud mail and backup solution has mitigated any risk of data loss and ensured we’ll always have access to our clients’ digital assets and files.”

“Ultimately, ThrottleNet’s quick response and expertise has been crucial in supporting our infrastructure at RBO PrintLogistix.” – Jim Riley, CEO & President of RBO PrtingLogistix

Qualified at Fixing IT

The team of specialists at ThrottleNet thinks through tough problems. Sometimes, missing the tiniest details can create a whole different problem. With almost two decades worth of exceptional experience, ThrottleNet has the resources, knowledge, and experience that you are in need of. ThrottleNet is known for its knowledgeable and friendly team, that is always ready to provide solutions to your IT issues.

Here is a glimpse of some of our client’s reviews:

“Thanks to the knowledgeable support team at ThrottleNet, our network is running faster and more efficient than ever before. I can trust them to resolve technical issues that might otherwise get in the way of running my business.” – Dr. Richard Goldberg from St. Louis Orthodontic Group

“I wanted to reiterate how happy we here at Condominium Property Management are with ThrottleNet. Several employees have seen immediate and dramatic improvements in their computers’ boot times. Instead of waiting 20 to 30 minutes to boot, our computers now boot up in about one minute. They also set up a Web backup for us, which is something we’ve discussed for a long time, but never implemented. We look forward to a long relationship with ThrottleNet.” – Jane Oliver, President of Condominium Property Management

Start Your ThrottleNet IT Experience

Are you in need of an IT support service that will be there to fix problems when you need it most? ThrottleNet is happy to help with all things IT related. Give us a call today to set up a consultation and see how we are the best option for your business.