Tag Archive for: scammers

Cryptocurrency scammers turn to deep fakes to snare victims


Earlier this month, the consumer watchdog launched legal action against Facebook owner Meta for publishing scam cryptocurrency ads featuring well-known Australians, including former businessman Dick Smith, TV personality David Koch and mining magnate Andrew Forrest.

David Cook, an expert in information warfare and cybersecurity management at Edith Cowan University, has recently received reports of cryptocurrency rorts that involved scammers creating deep fakes of ordinary people.

He said these deep fakes ⁠– which use artificial intelligence and machine learning to create fake videos and images ⁠– were more convincing when they centred on regular people.

“When you target celebrities, it’s almost a theatre because you will see someone say something outlandish,” he said.

“The ring of truth works for mum and dad investors because it is much more believable when it’s just an ordinary person because you don’t question that theatre side of it. You just take it as that’s a person saying what they believe.”

He said the deep fake video of Miranda could be created in as little as half an hour using free online software.

“Deep fakes weaponise your own imagery and your own voice against you,” he said.

The hackers are understood to have gained access to Miranda’s account by bypassing her work’s virtual private network, which was only recently updated with two-step authentication.

She believes they gleaned data of her face and voice by accessing her Microsoft teams meetings and then transformed the material into a convincing deep fake video.

While many of Miranda’s followers were suspicious of the deep fake video because the movement of her lips did not match the audio, at least one acquaintance was almost duped after they responded to the hacker.

Miranda smashed her phone with a hammer when she first discovered she had been hacked and panicked that someone had been in her house, filming her. She reported the matter to police and the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

The experience left her feeling violated, and she wants to ensure no one goes through a similar ordeal.

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The Office of the eSafety Commissioner is concerned about a rise in deep fakes and said the tools…

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How scammers are using QR codes to get your money


QR codes are easily faked by thieves. How to protect yourself.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — QR Codes are everywhere, from the restaurant, no more menus in hand, you scan the code instead of paying for something, whether that’s for your coffee or parking or whatever.

Wouldn’t you know, this new technology is now the latest way thieves are using to get your money and information.

“It could be that they are making a fraudulent payment, it could be that they are downloading malware onto your phone. You have fewer ways to validate what it is that you’re about to get to than you do if it’s an actual link,” said Tom Helming of Domain Tools.

The Better Business Bureau’s scam tracker shows one person lost $65,000 in a con that used QR codes.

You can’t tell by looking at it that it’s a fake code. But here are a few tricks. If you see a restaurant code menu on a plastic placard like this, check to see if a scammer put a QR code on a sticker to cover up the real QR code.

Scammers often send QR codes in emails that appear to be from legitimate companies so experts say don’t use it unless you can verify the source.
To really be safe, get a QR code security app on your phone. GadgetHacks.com tested a bunch of free QR code security readers for iPhones. Although, their experts say you don’t need the app if you’re running IOS 11.3 or later, it’s built-in.

For Androids and iPhones, DigitalTrends.com recommends Kaspersky QR scanner. It scans for unsafe and malicious codes and warns you about it.

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5 smartphone security fixes to keep your data safe from hackers, scammers and advertisers


Go anywhere online and it feels like someone is watching. That’s because, well, they are.

Tips to keep your laptop, tablet and smartphone safe while traveling this summer

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Did you know there’s a secret mobile advertiser ID on your smartphone that knows where you live and what you’ve shopped for online recently? It can easily be traced directly to you and reveals things like your physical address and IP address.



a sign above a store: Public charging stations at places like airports and coffee shops are handy but they also put your data at risk.


© Wittayayut/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Public charging stations at places like airports and coffee shops are handy but they also put your data at risk.

And that’s just one of many trackers, IDs, maps, and settings collecting your info. More often than not, this data is packaged up and sold to the highest bidder. (Sorry, you don’t get a cut.)

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If you want to get serious about security, you’ll have to go beyond the usual steps.

1. Turn on USB restricted mode

Ever charge your Apple device in a public place, on a plane or at work? You need to turn on USB restricted mode. It helps to prevent hackers from “juice jacking” your device by installing malware or stealing information through the USB charging port.

How to do it: To turn on USB Restricted Mode, select Settings > Face ID & Passcode > type in your passcode. Scroll down to the section called “Allow Access When Locked,” and make sure the option called “USB Accessories” is toggled off.

Public charging stations at places like airports and coffee shops are handy but they also put your data at risk. If you’re going to be out long enough for your device to run out of power, consider getting your own external power bank and juicing it before leaving your home. If you must use a public charging station, think about picking up a USB data blocker that stops malware from entering your device or bring along your own external battery charger.

2. Auto-erase data

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Scammers are using fake antivirus bills to hack your computer


Email security firm Vade Secure uncovered an ongoing tech-support scam that uses fake antivirus invoices to trick users into enabling remote access to their computers.

The news is the latest in a surge in the number of tech-support scams that begin by circulating fake invoices for well-known security software, with Malwarebytes sharing details about one such incidient recently.

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