The cyber criminals will then make contact and demand payments ranging from hundreds of euro to millions of euro, usually in bitcoin, before they will decrypt the victims’ data. Ransomware attacks can prevent the victim from having access to essential data such as customer information, or being able to carry out even the most basic tasks, like email. Irish businesses of all sizes and private individuals have seen their data encrypted with Malware, and the impact of these ransomware attacks can be crippling to a business of any size. Many of these attacks are launched through infected email attachments or phishing email which link to fraudulent websites that are used to download malicious software (malware) onto the targeted computer. The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau and the National Cyber Security Centre have noticed an increase in ransomware attacks against small and medium businesses. If you have received one of these types of emails and sent money or provided personal details in response, you should contact your local Garda Station.Ĭybercriminals are constantly on the lookout for new ways to extract money from victims. If you still are unsure, you can telephone the bank, the supplier or the company mentioned in the email. You will probably find that the webpage is entirely different. Hover the mouse over the link and this will bring up a page that you will be taken to if you did click. If you receive an email of this type, DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK in the email. If you supply these, they will likely be used to commit fraud or sold online. Clicking on the link brings you to a copy of the bank’s site or the webpage belonging to the ‘supplier’ and a request to enter private or banking details. The email tells you that your account is locked, that you are due a tax refund or that a package is delayed and that you have to click on the link to unlock the account, the refund of the package for delivery. Spam filters stop many phishing emails from reaching inboxes, but no mainstream solution yet exists to prevent texts from reaching their intended target.Phishing attacks occur when you receive an email that looks like it is from you bank, a supplier or another official agency. Smishing texts typically request urgent action, which often means clicking on a malicious link that in turn enables data theft. Smishing has begun to overtake vishing in popularity. They may seem to be in a rush and will take control of the conversation as they pressure you to provide sensitive information or forward funds to a specific account. They try to drive fear-based responses: for example, a common scam is a false bank call-back service that pretends to alert you to bank account fraud and then requests detailed card information on response.Īttackers can also take a more targeted approach, such as by impersonating a senior employee requiring urgent assistance. Many vishing campaigns are high volume, using auto-dial and broadband calling to contact thousands of potential victims per hour. “Smishing” texts (text scams) may encourage you to click on malicious links, activating trojan viruses that can steal passwords and other high-value data. “Vishing” calls (voice phishing) try to alarm you into making payments or providing important financial information. Texts and phone calls can be used maliciously to facilitate theft and fraud.
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