{"id":67100,"date":"2022-11-15T10:47:31","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T08:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mywot.com\/blog\/?p=67100"},"modified":"2025-01-07T11:01:46","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T09:01:46","slug":"vishing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mywot.com\/blog\/vishing","title":{"rendered":"What is Vishing? 7 Things You Can Do to Stop It"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you get a call from someone posing as a bank representative, claiming there is suspicious activity on your account? Or maybe you received a tech support call, telling you that your computer has a virus and is requesting remote access to fix the problem? That\u2019s most likely a \u201cvishing\u201d attempt, a type of social engineering attack that\u2019s currently on the rise.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is vishing?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Vishing, which is short for \u201cvoice phishing\u201d, is a scam where criminals use phone calls to trick people into giving out personal or financial information. These scammers often pretend to be from trusted organizations like banks, tech support, or government agencies. They create a sense of urgency, convincing victims to act quickly to resolve an issue or avoid a penalty.<\/span><\/p>\n

What happens is that these attackers use tactics like spoofing caller ID to make it seem like they are calling from a legitimate number. They might ask for sensitive information such as social security numbers, passwords, or credit card details. Vishing can occur via live calls or through automated voice messages, known as <\/span>robocalls<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Hacking<\/p>\n\n\n

What is the difference between vishing, smishing, and phishing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Phishing, smishing, and vishing are all scams where criminals try to steal personal information. The difference lies in the methods that they use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phishing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This involves sending fake emails that look like they come from trusted sources. These emails often contain links to fake websites designed to steal login credentials, financial information, or other sensitive data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you might receive an email claiming to be from your bank, asking you to verify your account details. When you click the link, you\u2019re taken to a website that looks legitimate but is actually controlled by scammers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more: What Are Phishing Emails and How Do You Stop Them?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smishing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is similar to phishing but it uses SMS or text messages instead of emails. The term is a combination of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. SMS or Short Message Service<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Phishing<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Scammers send text messages that appear to be from trusted organizations, urging recipients to click on a link or call a phone number. These messages often create a sense of urgency, such as claiming your account will be locked if you don\u2019t respond immediately. The goal is to get you to disclose personal information or install malicious software on your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Vishing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This method involves phone calls. The term combines “voice” and “phishing.” In a vishing attack, the scammer calls you, often pretending to be from a trusted organization such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n