Phishers target VoIP

Gone fishing has taken on a whole new meaning (and spelling) in this age of technology. Internet “phishing” is the term that has been devised for those sending out mass amounts of emails to catch their victims. Now the phishers have started casting wider nets – seeking to use VOIP and text messaging to hook their prey.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) has quickly become an attractive venue for the criminal minds. They use the VOIP to steal identities. It is a quick and affordable way for them to dial a large number of phone numbers.

This new technique at identity theft has been dubbed “vishing” (voice phishing) for its use of VOIP. Because this method is so inexpensive, and the profit potential is fairly good, it is likely that the VOIP vishing will continue to rise.

Vishing is when the criminals substitute phone numbers for the traditional URLs in emails or else they skip the emails altogether and simply dial consumers directly. They use these opportunities to steal personal and confidential information from unknowing responders.

The phishers are also using “smishing” (SMS phishing) to catch their prey. Here the criminals send a text message saying that the receiver has ordered something and will be charged daily unless they contact a certain website. Out of panic, victims will responds and end up with malicious software on their computers for their troubles.

As companies work to develop programs to protect against the phishers, these same phishers are hard at work to develop new and creative ways to thwart the protection.