Malicious actors are into various ways to make sure they have your sensitive personal data. And if you’re are not handing it to them, they’ll trick you through various ways until you sabotage your security and privacy. Besides phishing (email scams), the other common tricks malicious actors use to get your data is through tech support scams.
The devices you use, software and even tech services sometimes breakdown and you might require technical assistance from the vendor or manufacturers. Cybercriminals exploit this want of assistance to get your sensitive data in what is called tech support scams.
Tech support scams rely on scare tactics; malicious actors will trick you into believing there’s a problem with your system and it needs fixing. The most common scare tactic is that your device has been infected by malware and that their services can remove it swiftly. Below are major types of tech support scams and how to protect yourself;
- Web scams and pop up warnings
This can be termed as the most common tech support scam that you may encounter when surfing the internet. While browsing on some sites, you might click on the website, and you will be taken to another website with an alert page saying that your device has been infected with malware. There’s usually a call to action button “click here to remove malware.”
有時，可能會出現一個彈出視窗，指出您的設備已被感染，並顯示一個按鈕，指出按兩下此處清潔您的設備。其他複雜的網路詐騙使用侵入性的持久JavaScript（互聯網程式設計語言），您將無法關閉彈出視窗或警報視窗。這將使您確信您的設備已被感染。
如果您按兩下號召性用語按鈕，系統可能會要求您下載一個檔，該檔將使所謂的「技術人員」可以存取您的設備。其他騙局提供了一個免費電話號碼，您可以撥打該號碼致電技術人員。
- 電話詐騙
在這種類型的技術支持騙局中，您和惡意行為者都可以發起騙局。在您的情況下，它從網路騙局開始，您致電所謂的「技術人員」以從您的設備中刪除惡意軟體。
On the other hand, malicious actors can call you and claim they are tech support from maybe your antivirus company. They may then convince you that there’s a new malware doing rounds and that the antivirus update is rolling out slowly and you might have been infected. To ensure that your device is safe from the malware, they offer you a quick way to protect or scan your system to get rid of the malware. This continues for a long time until they convince you to install some software that gives them remote access to your device.
通過完全訪問許可權，惡意行為者可以竊取所有敏感資訊，甚至安裝惡意軟體並向您收取刪除費用。
- 惡意 線上廣告和商品詳情
如前所述，許多人在設備、軟體和服務出現故障時需要説明。當出現問題時，首先要做的是在網上搜索解決方案。詐騙者已經注意到了這一點，他們設置了廣告，他們的網站來提供“説明”。毫無戒心的受害者可能會點擊廣告並最終致電詐騙者尋求説明。
如何保護自己免受技術支持詐騙
Scammers are always after your data. The best way to protect against them is by taking care of your online privacy – not sharing your personally identifying information. Here are some tips to protect against tech support scams;
- 避免點擊彈出廣告
Some pop ads are legitimate such as the ones on legitimate sites. But if an ad is prompting you to call or sign up for a service to remove malware from your device, never click on it. Close the browser tab or the entire browser. If you happen to click on them, remember never to share your details including your credit cards.
- 驗證技術支援呼叫
Legitimate tech support companies don’t just call out of the blues. So if you get the call claiming it’s from your antivirus support, tell them to hold, take this time to verify the number. Most products have their assistance number on the official website or the product packaging.
- 切勿向第三方提供遠端訪問
如果他們告訴您下載一些軟體以讓他們訪問您的計算機，請停在那裡。除非您已驗證，否則這是合法支援。
Always use a VPN – IPBurger VPN
A VPN protects you against most common privacy and security threats when you are surfing the internet. With strong encryptions, cybercriminals won’t get access to your internet traffic.
