Tag Archive for: message

Expert warns users to look out for text message scams

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TULSA, Okla. — Experts are warning people not to trust just any link that comes their way in a text message.

One woman says that’s what happened to her when she got a text saying someone was trying to sign in to her Amazon account.

Melinda says she clicked on the link and provided just enough info for the crook to raid her checking account, stealing several hundred dollars before she closed the account.

“I feel like an idiot,” Melinda says.

“You hear about people getting scammed all the time. I never thought it would be me. They just caught me at the wrong time.”

The wrong time for Melinda turned out to be the perfect time for scammers who bombard people with their urgent-sounding fake texts.

“Most of the time they can be malicious,” says Tyler Moore, a Professor of Computer Science and Cyber Security at the University of Tulsa.

“When people see texts, they don’t think it’s going to be dangerous. You maybe know not to click on links in an email, but for some reason, you don’t make the same association with a link that comes in a text.”

Moore warns folks about texts with links from unknown numbers.

But be leery, too, he says, about texts from numbers or people you recognize as those links can end up being dangerous as well.

“Maybe send then another text saying, ‘what’s this about?’ or call them on the phone,” Moore says.

“We used to actually talk on the phone, you can use it as a chance to talk to someone, ‘hey did you really send me this link?'”

No matter how urgent the text sounds experts say don’t click on any links.

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Hertfordshire PCC records message to explain how businesses can prevent cyber crime

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Hertfordshire police and crime commissioner David Lloyd has recorded a message for local businesses to explain how they can prevent cyber crime.

Many small and medium sized firms do not believe they will be targeted by online criminals and therefore do not take the proper precautions, but thousands of businesses in the county have money or information stolen every year, despite the simple steps they could take to protect themselves.

Mr Lloyd said: “Many small businesses don’t think they are at risk, but SMEs have to understand: you are a target, you must take the threat seriously, you need to take action.

“I have created a scheme which provides a free cyber health check for your business. If you have fewer than 50 employees, you can have an hour-long one-to-one consultation with a government-accredited IT company.

“They will provide you with an action plan identifying any risks to your business and how you can put it right.

“Over one hundred Hertfordshire SMEs have taken part in the scheme so far and none of them have fallen victim to cybercrime in the 12 months since taking part,” he adds.

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The cyber basics review scheme has recently been renewed for a second year. Run jointly with Hertfordshire county council trading standards, any of Hertfordshire’s small or medium-sized businesses can apply for an appointment with an accredited computer security provider.

To secure your free CBR, email [email protected] with your contact details and request a review.

Shine a spotlight on your area of Hertfordshire by becoming an Area Ambassador. Click here to learn more.

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WhatsApp Malware: Users Warned of a Malicious Message Going Around the App

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WhatsApp could be in more trouble as users are warned of a message going around the app, spreading malicious software that could inject invasive ads on your device.

new WhatsApp malware

(Photo : Dimitri Karastelev on Unsplash)
The malware abuses Android’s quick reply feature to spread even further.

WhatsApp Malware Spreading

According to the Daily Express, the malware campaign is devised to help hackers earn money by spamming your device with ads and then hacking your phone into sending the same malicious message to people on your contacts, making it spread easily like wildfire.

Based on the report, it starts with a message, often coming from someone you know who typically have fallen for the scam.

The message would include a message that reads somewhat like “Download this app and win a Mobile Phone,” which would tempt many WhatsApp users into actually opening the link

Once you click on the link, you will be redirected to a website that looks exactly like Google Play Store, then you will be prompted to install a software that looks similar to the Huawei Mobile app, and once you have it installed on your device, the app will be asking you to grant notification access.

The feature basically allows Android apps to read all of the notifications sent by the OS, but it’s not something that would easily catch you off guard as there are legitimate Android apps that ask for such access upon installation.

Read More: Lyka App: Legit or Scam? Users Share Serious Security Concerns Even When Deleted

Abusing Android’s Quick Reply Feature

Unfortunately, the WhatsApp malware is designed to abuse the app’s quick reply feature, which allows users to quickly respond to incoming texts from the notifications.

Basically, the malware would use the feature to spam everyone in your contacts list and sends them the same message that you fell for, often with the same message about winning an Android device–and since it came from you, someone on their contact list, they are more likely to trust the message and follow the link, making this malware more dangerous than usual.

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Android security: This fake message about a missed delivery leads to data-stealing malware – ZDNet

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Android security: This fake message about a missed delivery leads to data-stealing malware  ZDNet
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