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Free public charging stations in the US have become the latest weapon for cybercriminals to infect devices with malware and tracking software.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning people not to connect to the free power, but instead bring their own chargers and USB cable that plug into a wall outlet.
The attack allows attackers to scrape personal information from devices, such as account logins, passwords, credit card information, and photos.
However, the FBI’s alarming message did not stem from a recent attack, but is intended to provide a service announcement to people visiting airports, hotels and shopping centers where stations are rife.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning people not to connect to the free power, but instead bring their own chargers and USB cable that can be plugged into a wall outlet
Everyday tasks – opening an email attachment, following a link in a text message, making an online purchase – can expose you to online criminals who want to damage your systems or steal from you. FBI. website is reading.
“To prevent crimes over the internet and cyber intrusions, we all need to be on our guard.”
The agency insists that sensitive transactions, such as purchasing goods, be performed on devices before they connect to a public network.
Hackers have gotten creative over the past decade and found new, stealthy ways to infiltrate our devices to steal personal information.
The FBI urges users to scrutinize the email address in all correspondence, scrutinize website URLs, and not click on links in unsolicited text messages, which has become a big deal lately.
Recent data shows that Americans are attacked daily by more than 376 million text scams, impersonating Netflix, Amazon, and banks to steal their money or votes.
These bogus messages claim that user accounts have been blocked or credit cards have expired, prompting them to click on a link that asks for personal information.
“If you get a text message you weren’t expecting asking you to provide some personal or financial information, don’t click any links. Legitimate companies will not ask for information about your account by text message,” the Federal Trade Commission said.
The attack allows adversaries to scrape personal information from devices, such as account logins, passwords, credit card information, and photos
“If you believe the message is genuine, please contact the company at a phone number or website that you know is genuine. Not the information in the text message.”
Mobile devices have improved our lives in ways we could never have imagined, but they have also become an essential tool for scammers to invade our lives.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reported that the number of robotext complaints skyrocketed from 3,300 to 18,900 per year between 2015 and 2022.
And Americans lost $10 billion to these scams in 2021 alone.
FCC President Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement: “Scammers have found that sending messages about a package you never ordered or a payment that never went through, along with a link to a shady website, is a quick and easy way to to involve us. on our devices and fall prey to fraud.”
Netflix released a statement about such arrangements that urgently claimed that “your account is on hold,” citing an issue with current billing information.
A link has been added to the message stating that recipients have 48 hours to take action before their account is permanently suspended.
The link takes users to a site similar to Netflix and asks them to re-enter their credit card information, which the scammer steals.
The FBI urges users to scrutinize the email address in all correspondence, scrutinize website URLs, and not click on links in unsolicited text messages, which has become a big deal lately. Pictured is a scam text message
“We will never ask you to enter your personal information in a text or email,” Netflix said in a statement about the fishy texts.
“We will never ask for payment through a third-party supplier or website. If the text or email links to a URL you don’t recognize, don’t tap or click on it.
“If you’ve already done that, don’t enter any information on the website that opened.”
Unfortunately, if scammers manage to get you to the web page, they can quickly take advantage of your phone or computer.
Amazon is another big company that is used to trick people with text messages.
The fake communication may claim that your account has been suspended after a security check and provides a link to verify your credentials.
Another scheme tells consumers that an expensive product was ordered through their account and lists a phone number if they believe it was a mistake.
Like Netflix, Amazon has also addressed the issues by urging customers not to share their personal information.
In May 2022, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued an alert after people received text messages from a bank alerting them to a hold, fraudulent activity, or financial account update.
“Scammers will take the opportunity to get your bank details. For example, a website may ask for an ATM card number and PIN under the guise of “reactivating your ATM card,” BBB said in a statement.
Other times, the link may download malicious software that gives scammers access to everything on the phone. A scammer on the phone may ask for personal information, such as your social security number.”
The FCC has announced new rules to combat spam text messages, requiring mobile carriers to block text messages from suspicious sources, including phone numbers that appear “invalid, unassigned or unused.”
The update, announced last week, also requires carriers to block text messages from phone numbers that don’t send text messages.