Tech support
scammers are borrowing phishing techniques from criminals who seek online
credentials.
Scammers are now using links in
phishing-like emails to lead potential victims to fake tech support sites.
The new tactic, noticed by
Microsoft's Malware Protection Center, marks an evolution in bogus tech support
scams that allow criminals to cast a wider net in search of fraud victims.
Historically,
tech support scams have cold-called targets. But more recently they have used a
combination of malicious ads that automatically redirect victims to a
bogus tech support page, and malware that displays a fake Blue Screen of
Death (BSOD) or other bogus Windows security alerts.
Tech support scammers are now using
nearly identical techniques, sending emails purportedly from well-known brands
such as LinkedIn, Alibaba, and Amazon. The email pretends to be an invoice,
canceled order, or social media message that contains dodgy links hidden in seemingly
harmless text.
"However, instead of pointing to
phishing sites designed to steal credentials, the links lead to tech support
scam websites, which use various scare tactics to trick users into calling
hotlines and paying for unnecessary 'technical support services' that
supposedly fix contrived device, platform, or software problems," explain Microsoft
support phone numbermalware protection researchers Alden Pornasdoro, Jeong Mun,
Barak Shein, and Eric Avena.
The links in the email generally
point to a compromised website that, as with existing tactics,
automatically redirects visitors to the scam site. Once there, visitors
face a range of social engineering techniques, such as bogus security alert
popups, to convince them to call the fake support call center.
One advantage of using phishing email, as Microsoft
support phone numbernotes, is that it allows scammers to cast a wider net in
addition to existing tactics.
Microsoft's data indicates that three million users each
month are exposed to tech-support scams, with most of those affected coming
from wealthier nations including the US, UK, Canada,
Australia, France, and Spain.
The
most widespread tech-support scam malware is known as TechBrolo, which Microsoft
support phone numbercalls "support-scam malware on steroids", thanks
to its use of a looping dialog box that effectively locks the browser, and an
audio file that describes the supposed problem and urges the user to call a
support number.
Microsoft support phone numbernotes Windows 10,
Outlook.com, Edge, and Exchange Online Protection have a number of features
that combine to block tech-support scams and threats targeting the inbox.
Edge can also stop dialog loops by allowing the user to
prevent a specific page from creating more pages. Microsoft support phone
numberis also working on a feature for Edge that allows the user to close the
browser or specific tabs when this is a popup or dialog message.
Finally,
it's worth noting that Microsoft support phone numberdoesn't proactively reach
out to users to offer unsolicited tech support. However, users can contact
Microsoft support phone numbervia its real support page.
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