Amid a surge in deceptive phishing scams, Apple has issued new guidelines for iPhone users.
The ploy is carried out when hackers “use sophisticated tactics to trick you into handing over personal information.” According to the tech giant.
The scams typically take the form of emails pretending to be from real companies, fake pop-up ads, and convincing phone calls known as “spoofing.”
The latter usually appear to come from a trusted phone number and may send false warnings, for example that your iCloud has been hacked and needs to be fixed urgently. In most cases, you end up being sent to a fake website where you end up sharing your passwords and sensitive information, Apple warns.
“Scammers often use fake caller ID information to spoof phone numbers from companies like Apple, claiming there is suspicious activity on your account or device in order to get your attention,” the company said in a new note.
“Or they may use flattery or threats to pressure you into handing over information, money, or even Apple gift cards.”
AI is making fake voices much more believable, Voice fraud on the rise The perpetrator pretends to be a family member. However, the traditional method of email, e.g. Money-stealing malware Malware disguised as Google Chrome or Microsoft Word is also becoming much more stealthy than it used to be.
Experts are extremely concerned that scams, particularly those targeting seniors, are raking in billions of dollars a year.
“Fraud in society has reached a crisis level,” says Cathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention for AARP’s Fraud Watch Network. I said before.
“A lot of people get into this fray because it’s so easy to be a criminal. They don’t have to follow the rules. And they can make a lot of money and have very little chance of getting caught.”
Phishing Prevention
Apple advises to be wary of perks written in the fine print, such as sender information that doesn’t match that of major companies.
This includes Uniform Resource Locator (URL) links that do not match the company’s site, messages that do not match previous communications, or requests for sensitive information such as credit cards or passwords.
It is also important to never share personal information such as passwords and never enter them into web pages directed to you by suspicious people.
Using two-factor authentication (requiring a second account or device to verify your login) is another safe method. Again, do not share these codes.
The company also advises people to avoid paying with Apple gift cards and to be careful about downloading software, calendar invites, and viewing pop-ups.
