While most network security revolves around protecting the computer network and data, one has to also consider protecting the user. In previous articles we discussed how the user is a significant point of failure. Generally, the best way to get security information is to ask for it, and who does a hacker ask, the user.
Now the user has to be careful that their personal data and money does not get compromised. There are many ways this can happen. For this article we will address two types of phone scams. The Help Call and The Callback.
-The Help Call
This is a phone call from a support company trying to assist you with “Your Problem”. A problem that doesn’t exist. The caller may present themselves as being from Microsoft or Apple tech support. They will ask you to go to a website to install some software, so they can log into your computer. Once they log in to your computer, they have access to your data or they can install malicious software.
A variation of the Help Call is a phone call where the caller presents him/herself as an agent of a bank or a credit card company. They will ask you for your credit card and personal information.
-The Call Back
There are multiple versions of this scam. One type is the single ring. You will get a call that only rings once. When you call back, no one will answer. By calling that number, you will get charged a fee. Usually $20, but it will vary.
Another version is the call with message. It works the same way as the single ring, but you will get a message stating it is very important that you call back. If you call back, you will get a charge on your bill.
The point of this article is to be careful. If you did not contact “them”, “they” shouldn’t be contacting you. If someone calls you trying to help you, they are trying to take advantage of you. If someone you don’t know calls and doesn’t leave a message, or leaves a vague message, do not respond to it.
If you get a call like the ones described in this article, feel free to contact us. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or comments regarding this article
Phone scams
While most network security revolves around protecting the computer network and data, one has to also consider protecting the user. In previous articles we discussed how the user is a significant point of failure. Generally, the best way to get security information is to ask for it, and who does a hacker ask, the user.
Now the user has to be careful that their personal data and money does not get compromised. There are many ways this can happen. For this article we will address two types of phone scams. The Help Call and The Callback.
-The Help Call
This is a phone call from a support company trying to assist you with “Your Problem”. A problem that doesn’t exist. The caller may present themselves as being from Microsoft or Apple tech support. They will ask you to go to a website to install some software, so they can log into your computer. Once they log in to your computer, they have access to your data or they can install malicious software.
A variation of the Help Call is a phone call where the caller presents him/herself as an agent of a bank or a credit card company. They will ask you for your credit card and personal information.
-The Call Back
There are multiple versions of this scam. One type is the single ring. You will get a call that only rings once. When you call back, no one will answer. By calling that number, you will get charged a fee. Usually $20, but it will vary.
Another version is the call with message. It works the same way as the single ring, but you will get a message stating it is very important that you call back. If you call back, you will get a charge on your bill.
The point of this article is to be careful. If you did not contact “them”, “they” shouldn’t be contacting you. If someone calls you trying to help you, they are trying to take advantage of you. If someone you don’t know calls and doesn’t leave a message, or leaves a vague message, do not respond to it.
If you get a call like the ones described in this article, feel free to contact us. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or comments regarding this article
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