Millions of attacks by "technical telephone fraud" in Germany. Avast blocked 2,2 million attack attempts in one year alone and warns of the dangers. Fraudsters are particularly targeting end users and SMEs.
Avast, a global leader in digital security and privacy solutions, warns of a continuing wave of tech phone fraud. The cybersecurity experts have recognized and blocked over 2,2 million attempts at the fraud scheme in Germany in the past twelve months.
Notice on the PC lures you to the support hotline
There are two types of technical phone fraud: first, by scammers calling consumers directly, and second, by suddenly showing consumers a window while surfing the Internet with a message that their computer is "infected" with viruses or spy software and that they should urgently call a support hotline. In both cases, the aim of the fraud is to have consumers grant the alleged support staff remote access to their computers. The criminals often pretend to be employees of a well-known software company, such as Microsoft. The next step is data theft and financial fraud.
“Technical phone fraud that starts on the Internet is particularly perfidious because it fools consumers into thinking that there is a problem with their Internet browser or computer that doesn't even exist. The criminals use their victims' fear of viruses or spy software and thus encourage the user to act, ”explains Oliver Kunzmann, cybersecurity expert at Avast.
Malware arrives via remote service
Avast works with the Youtube channel Callcenter Fun to investigate technical telephone fraud. The Youtuber Lennart Erbgut comments: “If consumers grant the fraudster remote access to the computer, the fraudsters often install a second remote software in the background in order to have a connection to the computer even after the phone call. The callers get the impression that a technical problem is being solved. In reality, the fraudsters want to steal data and steal money from callers. To do this, the criminals try, for example, to cleverly gain access to online banking or Bitcoin accounts, or they demand payment of the support costs. "
High case numbers
The extent of the fraud is also reflected in the statistics of the Lower Saxony State Criminal Police Office. In 2020, over 1.300 cases of technical telephone fraud were recorded in Lower Saxony alone. In the current year there are already cases in the mid three-digit range.
How users and SMEs can protect themselves against telephone fraud
First of all, users should be aware that this type of scam exists. Because this is usually easy to recognize and avoid with the following steps:
- Don't call a support phone number that pops up suddenly: Leading software companies wouldn't pressure users to call their phone support. Consumers should only call a support hotline if they have looked for it themselves and found the phone number in the phone book or on the company's official website. To do this, it is advisable to check the browser bar in advance, because fraudulent sites often use URLs with lots of numbers and digits that should immediately appear suspicious.
- Close window or restart computer: Users should be puzzled if their browser freezes and no longer responds when they are on the support website. If this is the case, the browser can be closed with the usual key combinations if these are not blocked (Escape key or F11). If this does not work, the Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Del and then "End Task") can be used.
- Hang up on suspicious calls: Leading software companies would not call users to offer them technical help without a specific reason. Users should not be misled by any arguments that the computer is infected with viruses or even involved in criminal activities and should instead simply hang up.
- Install antivirus software: Antivirus software like Avast Free Antivirus blocks fraudulent pop-up messages on the Internet so that they don't even appear to consumers.
- Have educational conversations: Educational conversations should take place among friends and family across all generations. Consumers who suspect they are in conversation with scammers should let their family members and friends know. An external person can approach the matter with a cool head and thus often recognize an attempt at fraud better than the person concerned.
The more awareness of such scams grows, the less successful scammers can be with them.
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About Avast Avast (LSE: AVST), a FTSE 100 company, is a leading global provider of digital security and privacy products. Avast has over 400 million online users and offers products under the Avast and AVG brands that protect people from threats from the Internet and the evolving IoT threat landscape. The company's threat detection network is one of the most advanced in the world, using technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence to detect and stop threats in real time. Avast's digital security products for mobile, PC or Mac have been top-rated and certified by VB100, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, SE Labs and other test institutes.