Introduction to Vishing Attacks
Vishing means voice phishing via phone or voicemail
Attackers pretend to be trusted parties (banks, vendors, support teams)
Goal is to trick targets into sharing sensitive data or credentials
Recent reports show rising vishing incidents targeting businesses and individuals
How Vishing Attacks Work
Scammer calls claiming urgent issue (account lock, billing error)
Uses caller ID spoofing to appear as a legitimate number
Asks for personal details: login credentials, one-time codes, or social security numbers
Creates pressure by citing urgent consequences or deadlines.
Common Vishing Techniques
Caller ID Spoofing: Fakes a trusted number (bank, government agency)
Pretexting: Invents a believable story (fraud alert, refund offer)
Impersonation: Poses as IT support or help desk to request access
Automated Voicemail Threats: Uses recorded messages claiming account breach
Prevention Strategies
Verify Caller Identity: Hang up and call the official organization number
Don’t Share Credentials: Never give login details, PINs, or codes over the phone
Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Even if a caller knows your credentials, they can’t log in without the second factor
Employee Training: Conduct regular awareness sessions on social engineering risks
Best Practices for Organizations
Implement Caller Verification: Establish a policy to confirm caller identity before sharing information
Use Anti-Phishing Solutions: Deploy tools that flag suspicious inbound calls or numbers
Maintain Incident Response Plan: Prepare clear steps for reporting and investigating vishing attempts
Regularly Update Contact Lists: Ensure staff know official phone numbers for vendors artners
Summary and Resources
Vishing relies on trust and urgency to steal data or credentials
Key prevention steps: verify callers, use MFA, train staff, and employ security tools
Encourage reporting of suspicious calls to IT or security teams
Resources:
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidance on phishing prevention
Industry advisories (e.g., for finance or healthcare sectors)
Internal policy documents and quickference guides for staff
