Vishing (Voice Phishing) in Social Engineering News
Vishing Alert: ShinyHunters & Scattered Spider Target Salesforce Users
Vishing (Voice Phishing) in Social Engineering News
Hold on to your hats, folks, because there's a new twist in the world of cybercrime! It appears that ShinyHunters, a hacking group known for data breaches, might be teaming up with Scattered Spider, a ransomware group. And their target? Salesforce users like you.
What's Vishing and Why Should You Care?
Let's break it down. "Vishing" is short for "voice phishing." Think of it as phishing, but instead of a dodgy email, you get a phone call from someone pretending to be someone they're not. In this case, ShinyHunters are reportedly impersonating Salesforce IT personnel.
Imagine this: Your phone rings, and the person on the other end claims to be from Salesforce support. They say there's a critical issue with your account and you need to download a "necessary" update or provide your login credentials. Sounds legit, right? Wrong! This is likely a vishing attack designed to steal your data or install malware.
Why should you care? Because Salesforce holds a ton of valuable data for businesses. If attackers gain access, they could steal customer information, financial records, and other sensitive data. This can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and legal trouble. Are you starting to sweat a little?
ShinyHunters and Scattered Spider: A Cybercrime Dream Team?
Reports suggest that ShinyHunters is adopting tactics similar to those used by Scattered Spider, a group known for targeting major corporations with ransomware attacks. Some researchers even believe they might be operating in lockstep. This collaboration could make attacks more sophisticated and harder to detect.
These groups often target the same industries, making it difficult to attribute attacks. ShinyHunters is reportedly using Scattered Spider's infrastructure, including phishing domains that mimic Salesforce login pages. It's like they're sharing notes on how to be the best (worst?) cybercriminals.
Who's Being Targeted?
Recent attacks have targeted companies across various sectors, including Qantas, Allianz, LVMH, and even Google. The financial sector seems to be a particularly popular target. If you use Salesforce, regardless of your industry, you should be on high alert.
Think about it: do you know what to do if you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from Salesforce? Do your employees? If not, it's time to get educated!
How to Protect Yourself
So, what can you do to protect your business from these vishing attacks?
- Train Your Employees: Make sure everyone knows about vishing and other social engineering tactics. Teach them to be suspicious of unsolicited calls and emails.
- Verify Identities: Always verify the identity of callers before providing any information or downloading software. Call the company back using a known, trusted number.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for attackers to access accounts even if they have the password.
- Keep Software Up to Date: Regularly update your software to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your Salesforce accounts for any suspicious activity.
My Take: Employee Education is Key
In my opinion, the most important defense against vishing attacks is employee education. Technology can help, but ultimately, it's up to your employees to recognize and report suspicious activity. Regular training sessions and simulated phishing exercises can help keep them sharp and aware of the latest threats.
The sophistication of these attacks is increasing, and attackers are constantly finding new ways to trick people. By investing in employee education, you're investing in the security of your entire business. It's not just about preventing data breaches; it's about creating a culture of security awareness.
Stay safe out there!
References
- Vishing (Voice Phishing) in Social Engineering News
- How ShinyHunters Hacking Group Stole Customer Data from...
- How ShinyHunters Struck Google Through Salesforce : The Rise of...
- ShinyHunters behind Salesforce data theft attacks at Qantas, Allianz...
- ShinyHunters Salesforce cyber attacks explained... | Computer Weekly
- The ShinyHunters Salesforce Attack: Vishing & OAuth Abuse Blamed...
- ShinyHunters Breaches Google via Salesforce Vulnerabilities
