Skip to content

Vishing

vishing.png

Vishing (voice phishing) is a social engineering attack where scammers use phone calls to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as financial details or login credentials.

Recover from a Vishing Attack#

Follow these steps to recover from such an attack:

Step 1: Identify the Compromise#

  • Determine what information was shared during the call, such as passwords, banking details, or personal information.
  • Check for any unauthorized transactions, account changes, or suspicious activities.

Step 2: Secure Compromised Accounts#

  • Immediately change passwords for any affected accounts.
  • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.
  • Contact your bank or service provider to report potential fraud.

Step 3: Report the Incident#

  • Notify your IT or security team if company accounts were involved.
  • Report the scam to local authorities or cybersecurity agencies, such as Action Fraud (UK) or the FTC (US).
  • Inform your financial institution or credit agency if banking details were compromised.

Step 4: Monitor for Fraudulent Activity#

  • Regularly review account statements and transactions for unauthorized activities.
  • Set up alerts for login attempts, changes in account settings, or financial transactions.
  • Request a credit freeze or fraud alert if sensitive financial data was disclosed.

Step 5: Educate and Inform#

  • Share details of the attack with colleagues, friends, or family to prevent further incidents.
  • Provide training on recognizing and avoiding vishing scams.

Step 6: Review Security Measures#

  • Update security policies to include guidelines on handling unsolicited calls.
  • Implement call verification protocols within your organization to confirm identity before sharing information.

Mitigate the Risk of Vishing Attacks#

Preventing vishing attacks requires a mix of awareness, verification procedures, and secure communication practices. Follow these best practices:

Verify Caller Identity#

  • Always verify the caller's identity before sharing sensitive information.
  • Call back using an official number from a trusted source rather than the one provided by the caller.

Use Call Authentication Tools#

  • Enable caller ID verification and spam detection on your phone.
  • Use services like STIR/SHAKEN to detect spoofed phone numbers.

Limit Information Disclosure#

  • Avoid sharing personal, financial, or login details over the phone unless absolutely necessary.
  • If a caller claims to be from a bank or organization, verify through official channels.

Educate Employees and Users#

  • Conduct training sessions on recognizing vishing scams and social engineering tactics.
  • Simulate vishing attacks to assess awareness and preparedness.

Monitor and Report Suspicious Calls#

  • Encourage employees and users to report suspicious calls.
  • Maintain a record of fraudulent phone numbers and share them with security teams.

Implement Security Policies#

  • Establish clear policies on handling sensitive data over phone calls.
  • Require multi-step verification for transactions or sensitive account changes.

Develop an Incident Response Plan#

  • Create a clear plan for responding to vishing attacks, including reporting procedures and recovery steps.
  • Assign roles to ensure a quick and effective response.

By implementing these measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of vishing attacks and protect sensitive information from fraudulent callers.