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2025-02-10
Phishing is not restricted to emails only. Here are 4 more variations apart from emails, all of them deadly:
1) Vishing (Voice-based):
- Fraudulent calls tricking you
- Using digital voices to entice you
- Generally create a sense of urgency
- They make you reveal your credentials
2) Smishing (SMS-based):
- Fake links in text messages
- Typically asking you to click on links
- Common attacks take CXO / boss persona
- Sometimes, malware’s also released into your device
3) Quishing (QR code-based):
- Malicious QR codes sent over email
- These manage to bypass the gateways
- Typically take you to fraudulent websites
- They hook you to pay by creating urgency
4) Whishing (WhatsApp-based):
- Typically malicious links / payment requests
- Idea is to make you download an app / pay using links
- Common impersonations are of family / partners / bosses
Typical targets for these: non-IT users.
Potential damage: financial loss, reputational harm, and/or legal issues.
What to do if you encounter any of these attacks:
→ Don’t engage or respond – hang up, ignore or delete immediately.
→ Never click links or scan QR codes from unverified sources.
→ Verify directly with the sender through official channels before taking action.
→ Report the incident to your IT/security team or relevant authorities.
→ Educate your family & colleagues – awareness is the best defense.
→ Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to prevent account takeovers even if credentials are leaked.
Practical Commands and Codes:
1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on Linux:
sudo apt-get install libpam-google-authenticator google-authenticator
Follow the on-screen instructions to set up MFA for your Linux system.
2. Check for Malicious QR Codes:
Use `zbarimg` to scan and decode QR codes safely:
sudo apt-get install zbar-tools zbarimg image_with_qr.png
Always verify the decoded URL before accessing it.
3. Block Suspicious SMS Senders on Android:
Use ADB to block a number:
adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.CALL -d tel:1234567890
Replace `1234567890` with the suspicious number.
4. Monitor Network Traffic for Malicious Activity:
Use `tcpdump` to capture and analyze network traffic:
sudo tcpdump -i eth0 -w capture.pcap
Analyze the `capture.pcap` file using Wireshark.
5. Report Phishing Attempts:
Use `curl` to report phishing URLs to Google Safe Browsing:
curl -X POST -d "url=http://malicious-url.com" https://safebrowsing.googleapis.com/v4/threatMatches:find?key=YOUR_API_KEY
Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with your actual API key.
What Undercode Say:
Phishing attacks have evolved beyond traditional email-based methods, incorporating voice, SMS, QR codes, and even messaging platforms like WhatsApp. These attacks are designed to exploit human psychology, often creating a sense of urgency or impersonating trusted entities to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or making payments.
To defend against these sophisticated attacks, it’s crucial to implement a multi-layered security approach. This includes technical measures like enabling MFA, monitoring network traffic, and using tools to safely decode QR codes. Additionally, continuous education and awareness training for all employees are essential to ensure they can recognize and respond appropriately to these threats.
Linux and other open-source tools provide powerful capabilities to enhance your security posture. For instance, using `tcpdump` and Wireshark can help you monitor and analyze network traffic for signs of malicious activity. Similarly, tools like `zbarimg` allow you to safely decode QR codes without risking exposure to malicious websites.
Enabling MFA on your Linux systems adds an extra layer of security, making it significantly harder for attackers to gain access even if they manage to steal credentials. Reporting phishing attempts to services like Google Safe Browsing helps protect others by ensuring malicious URLs are flagged and blocked.
In conclusion, staying ahead of phishing attacks requires a combination of technical defenses, continuous education, and proactive monitoring. By leveraging the right tools and practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated threats.
Useful URLs:
References:
Hackers Feeds, Undercode AI
