Most folks are aware that cybercriminals tailor their attacks to exploit threat vectors by using various tools and techniques to scan for vulnerabilities in networks, applications and systems. This allows them to gain unauthorized access or steal sensitive data. With even more sophistication, these bad actors may also use social engineering tactics to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that benefit not them, but the attacker.
One type of social engineering tactic is vishing, also known as voice phishing. In a vishing scheme, the attacker pretends to be someone they are not, such as a representative from a financial institution, a law enforcement agency or a tech support company. They then use various tactics to convince the victim to provide personal information, such as bank account numbers, Social Security numbers or credit card details.
Businesses aren’t the only targets of vishing attacks, either; consumers have seen their fair share in the form of robocalls. In any case, the damage is potentially disastrous with prospective loss of proprietary information, financial theft, public relations fallout and costly exposure to regulatory breach.
"Vishing attacks can have significant negative consequences for a business, from financial and data losses to reputational damage, and we've found that far too many enterprises aren't protecting themselves from vishing or telephone-oriented attacks," said Chuck French, Chief Growth Officer at Mutare, a cybersecurity provider that makes communication simple, secure and effective.
With that finding, Mutare is collaborating with government agencies, business coalitions and private industry in a weeklong, grassroots educational campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with vishing and telephone-oriented attacks during the inaugural Vishing Awareness Week on April 10-14.
Themed “Understanding the Telephone as a Threat Vector,” the week not only raises awareness but also looks at the measures that businesses can take to protect themselves from a voice-based cyberattack.
"As part of Vishing Awareness Week, Mutare and our partners want to arm the business community with the knowledge and resources to protect and defend their organizations from all forms of voice-centric threats,” said French.
The Vishing Awareness Week website will act as a central hub of education, thought leadership and tools during the week and onward to combat vishing and telephone-oriented attacks. The website offers a place for the community of vishing experts, technology providers and services organizations to work together to fight against this growing threat.
Edited by
Alex Passett
