How to respond to authentication spam

Online Phishing Scam Attempted on me! 🤡 Yesterday, I encountered a phishing attempt that I want to share to raise awareness about such frauds. An email claimed I was the beneficiary of a “huge unclaimed investment account” left behind by someone named Mr. Aarav. The sender, "Latiff Daichem," offered his "trusteeship" to help me access the funds and even said he would "love" to talk to me. 🛑This was a classic phishing scam designed to exploit emotions and lure victims into sharing sensitive information or making financial transactions.🛑 Here are a few red flags I noticed: 1️⃣ Unrealistic claims of inheriting vast wealth. 2️⃣ A sense of urgency or emotional manipulation (e.g., "love to talk to you"). 3️⃣ No credible background or verification of the sender. What You Should Do If You Receive Such Emails ✅ Do not respond. Ignore and delete the email immediately. ✅ Never share personal information such as bank details, passwords, or identification documents. ✅ Verify suspicious claims. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Where to Report Phishing Emails in India You can file a complaint on the following government-registered platforms: National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: Website: https://cybercrime.gov.in/ Local Police Cyber Cell: 1930 Email: incident@cert-in.org.in Other Measures - ⚠️Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams Use strong, unique passwords for your online accounts. ⚠️Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. ⚠️Regularly update your antivirus software and other security tools. Stay safe, stay vigilant. #onlinefrauds #scams #cybersecurity

Hackers are targeting iPhone users in the U.S. through a new text message phishing scam aimed at stealing Apple IDs. These cybercriminals are sending deceptive messages that appear to come from Apple, but are actually designed to trick users into revealing their personal credentials. Apple ID credentials are highly valuable, as they grant control over devices, access to sensitive personal and financial information, and can be exploited for unauthorized purchases, putting money directly into the scammers' hands. Because users are more likely to trust messages that seem to come from a reputable company like Apple, these malicious actors are sending SMS messages that mimic Apple’s style. The messages often encourage recipients to click on a link and sign in to their iCloud accounts. For instance, a phishing text might say something like: "Apple important request iCloud: Visit signin[.]authen-connexion[.]info/icloud to continue using your services." To make the scam seem more legitimate, recipients are sometimes asked to complete a CAPTCHA challenge before being redirected to a fake iCloud login page. To protect your data and identity, here are seven tips: 1. Be wary of text messages that claim to be from Apple. Always verify the sender—if the message comes from an unfamiliar number, it’s likely not from Apple. Avoid clicking on any links that prompt you to access your iCloud account; instead, go directly to the official login page. 2. Enable multi-factor authentication on your Apple ID for added security, making it harder for unauthorized users to access your account. 3. Ensure your computer and mobile phone have security software set to update automatically. 4. Avoid clicking on links, replying to messages, or calling phone numbers from unknown sources. 5. Do not respond to unknown texts, even if they ask you to "text STOP" to unsubscribe. 6. Delete suspicious texts using the “delete and report as junk” feature within the Apple Messages app. 7. If you receive a message claiming to be from a company or government agency, verify the contact information by checking your bill or visiting the official website. As phishing scams and cyberattacks become increasingly sophisticated, it’s crucial to take a moment to verify before responding. Don’t rush—pause and double-check the source before taking any action. #DataBreach #DataSecurity #Cybersecurity

There is a wide-spread phishing campaign using QR codes to be aware of. What to look out for: The phishing campaign involves the following steps: Email: Email with a QR code. Recent emails have been pretending share a file from HR or a security team requiring multi-factor authentication to be setup.   Initial webpage: Scanning the QR code often leads the user an initial landing page containing a Captcha.   Phishing webpage: Once clicking the Captcha, it will redirect the user to a fake Microsoft 365 login page. This page is designed to capture login credentials, including username and password, and may also prompt multi-factor authentication to be completed. What you should do: Exercise caution when clicking links from emails: Always be cautious when clicking on links where it asks you to login, even if it originates from someone you know and trust since the sender may be compromised.   If you have any suspicion or if the email is unexpected, contact the sender on a known trusted method of communication independent of the email or contact information from the email.   Verify website when logging in: When you are logging into websites, verify the website is the correct address and not a look alike website.   Report suspicious emails: If you receive a suspicious email to your inbox that has not been captured by the spam filter, report the email to your security team.   Change your password and notify your security team: If you accidently entered your credentials into a website that you are not sure about, immediately reset your password and notify your security team. #phishingattacks #phishingawareness #cybersecurityawareness #cybersecurity

Are you a victim of Smishing (SMS Phishing)? If you own a mobile phone, the chances are excellent that you have received at least one phishing message that spoofs the U.S. Postal Service to collect an outstanding delivery fee, or an SMS that pretends to be a local toll road operator warning of a delinquent toll fee. This is Smishing or SMS Phishing that has increased with frightening frequency in the recent months. **Smishing (SMS Phishing)** is a cyberattack where criminals send fraudulent text messages (SMS) or messages via **iMessage or RCS** to trick people into revealing personal information, such as **credit card details, passwords, or one-time verification codes**. These messages often appear to be from legitimate sources, such as **banks, delivery services, toll operators, or government agencies**, and typically contain urgent requests or warnings to prompt immediate action.  Victims are usually directed to a **fake website** that looks authentic, where they unknowingly enter sensitive information. Some smishing attacks even **bypass mobile networks** and directly exploit **Apple iMessage and Google RCS**, making them harder to detect and block.  How to Protect Yourself from Smishing?  1. Be Skeptical of Unexpected Messages – Ignore SMS's claiming an urgent issue (e.g., unpaid toll, bank alert), verify it directly through the official website or customer service.  2. Avoid Clicking Links in Messages – Never click on links in unsolicited texts. Instead, visit the official website manually.  3. Do Not Share One-Time Passwords (OTPs) – Banks and legitimate services will never ask for your OTP via SMS.  4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Securely – Use authentication apps like **Google Authenticator** instead of SMS-based 2FA.  5. Use Spam Filters and Block Unknown Senders – Most smartphones have built-in spam detection for suspicious messages.  6. Verify the Sender’s Number – Scammers often use spoofed numbers. Look for inconsistencies.  7. Report Smishing Attempts – Forward spam texts to **7726 (SPAM)** in many countries to alert mobile carriers.  #CyberSecurity #OnlineSafety #Smishing #ScamAlert #CyberThreats #FraudPrevention #DataProtection #MobileSecurity #2FA #OTPScam CMIT Solutions of Anaheim West https://lnkd.in/g2nwtmw9