You are the resident IT within your family. While relaxing and enjoying a family Thanksgiving dinner your sweet old Grandmother mentions that Microsoft called her cell phone and helped her with a virus on her computer. You explain to her that Microsoft does not call people directly to help with computer issues and that she was likely targeted by a malicious attacker. You scan her computer for viruses and find several. Your poor sweet old Grandmother was a victim of what type of attack?
Gran' was a victim of a voice phishing or vishing attack. This is the term used when an attacker contacts the victim via phone and attempts to steal personal information or by tricking the user to install malware on their computer. They may claim to be from a valid tech support company or vendor such as Microsoft or as a bill collector from a local utility company or anything in between.
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What is vishing and how is it different from phishing?
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How can I protect myself against vishing attacks?
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What are some signs that I am experiencing a vishing attack?