5G cyber scam: Cybersecurity experts have cautioned users in India about phishing scams involving SIM upgrades from 4G to 5G. According to security firm Check Point, con artists have been acting as customer service representatives of reputable telecom service providers and helping users upgrade their SIM cards from 4G to 5G. They use phishing links to trick victims into providing personal and financial information as part of their strategy.
From the state police
Various state police departments have also reported such schemes. The Mumbai Police tweeted about a fresh scam in which con artists ask victims for money in exchange for help upgrading to 5G. Similar warnings have also been posted on the Twitter accounts of the Pune City Police, Gurugram Police, and Hyderabad Cyberabad (cybercrime unit) departments. Security organisations have warned people against giving their OTPs to telemarketers since doing so could cause their bank accounts to be emptied.
Malware distribution using SMS message
“We have noticed an increase in the prevalence of SMS phishing, which disseminates malware using SMS texts as the attack vector. Although using SMS texts as an attack vector may seem crude, they are equally as effective as email phishing. To get the victim to click on a link or divulge personal information in confidence, these scams frequently mimic well-known companies or close friends. According to Sundar Balasubramanian, Managing Director at Check Point Software, India & SAARC, “This strategy has proven particularly effective since, once one device has been hijacked, its entire contact list is available, creating an infinite loop of potential victims.”
To avoid becoming a victim of such phishing 5G cyber scam, the company has following tips:
Enable two-factor authentication: By logging into your accounts using a password and one other method in addition to the password. It can take the form of a query, biometric information, or a one-time code transmitted to your device.
Utilize secure passwords: The use of the same term throughout, or straightforward combinations like “123456” or “password,” makes it too simple for fraudsters. There are many platforms available now that can generate passwords with upper- and lower-case characters, digits, and symbols that are strong and hard to guess.
Learn to spot phishing emails: Most phishing emails have some easily recognisable characteristics, such as misspellings or the requirement that users enter their credentials. A business will never email a customer and request their login information. Always use the official website or platform of the company you wish to access when in doubt.
Upgrade your devices’ software regularly: It is always suggested to update your devices’ software to the most recent version.
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