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.”
有时，可能会出现一个弹出窗口，说明您的设备已被感染，并有一个按钮提示点击此处清理您的设备。还有一些复杂的网络诈骗会使用侵入性的持久 JavaScript（互联网编程语言），让你无法关闭弹出窗口或警报窗口。这将使您确信您的设备已被感染。
如果您点击 "行动呼吁 "按钮，可能会被要求下载一个文件，让所谓的 "技术人员 "访问您的设备。其他欺诈网站会提供一个免费电话号码，您可以拨打该号码与技术人员联系。
- 电话诈骗
在这类技术支持诈骗中，您和恶意行为者都可能发起诈骗。在您的案例中，骗局始于网络诈骗，您致电所谓的 "技术人员 "以删除设备中的恶意软件。
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.
有了完全的访问权限，恶意行为者就可以窃取所有敏感信息，甚至安装恶意软件并收取清除费用。
- 恶意 在线广告和列表
如前所述，很多人在设备、软件和服务出现故障时都需要帮助。一旦出现问题，首先要做的就是上网搜索解决方案。骗子们已经注意到了这一点，他们设置了广告和网站来提供 "帮助"。毫无戒心的受害者可能会点击广告，最终致电骗子寻求帮助。
如何防止技术支持诈骗
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;
- 避免点击弹出式广告
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.
- 验证技术支持电话
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.
- 切勿向第三方提供远程访问权限
如果他们让你下载一些软件，让他们访问你的电脑，请马上停止。除非您已核实这是合法的支持。
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.
