In the first quarter of 2024, phone-based phishing attacks have seen a significant rise, as highlighted in the latest APWG Trends Report. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting mobile devices, leveraging the ubiquitous presence of smartphones in our daily lives. This blog delves into the growth of phone-based phishing and how Cybird offers robust protection against these threats.

There were 963,994 phishing attacks observed in Q1 2024, marking a stable trend from June 2023 through March 2024. Phone-based phishing attacks grew by 30% in Q1 2024 compared to the previous quarter.

— APWG Report 2024

The Rise of Phone-Based Phishing

Phone-based phishing, also known as vishing (voice phishing) and smishing (SMS phishing), involves attackers using phone calls or text messages to deceive victims into revealing sensitive information. According to the APWG report, the first quarter of 2024 has witnessed a 30% increase in such attacks compared to the previous quarter.

• Smishing: Attackers send fraudulent SMS messages pretending to be from reputable organizations, urging recipients to click on malicious links or provide personal information. Here are some real examples.

• Vishing: Scammers use automated calls or live calls to trick individuals into sharing confidential details, often by impersonating banks, government agencies, or tech support services.
  
• Hybrid Attacks: Cybercriminals are combining vishing and smishing with traditional email phishing, creating sophisticated multi-channel attacks that are harder to detect.

Example of a Hybrid Attack:

1. Initial Email Phishing: An email from a “bank” warns of suspicious account activity and includes a link to a fake website resembling the bank’s official site.
2. Follow-Up Smishing: An SMS alert from the “bank” reinforces the email’s warning, urging immediate action via the same fake link or a provided phone number.
3. Vishing Call: If unresponsive to the email or SMS, the attacker calls, posing as a bank representative, using gathered information to pressure the victim into revealing sensitive details.

About APWG

The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) is a global coalition focused on combating cybercrime, especially phishing. APWG unites industry, government, and law enforcement to develop strategies against phishing attacks and provides valuable insights through its research and reports. Latest APWG Trends Report.

Key Statistics from the APWG Report

• Overall Increase: Phone-based phishing attacks grew by 30% in Q1 2024 compared to the previous quarter.
  
• Sector Targeting: Financial services and e-commerce sectors were the most targeted, with 45% and 35% of attacks, respectively.
  
• Success Rate: The success rate of phone-based phishing attacks has increased by 20% due to more sophisticated techniques and better personalization.
  
• Mobile Device Vulnerability: 60% of successful phishing attacks in Q1 2024 were executed on mobile devices, highlighting their susceptibility.
  
• User Awareness: Despite growing awareness, 40% of users still fall victim to phone-based phishing due to lack of verification and immediate response to messages and calls.

Why Phone-Based Phishing is Effective

1. Immediate Attention: People tend to respond quickly to phone calls and text messages, often without thoroughly verifying the sender’s legitimacy.
   
2. Personalization: Attackers can easily personalize their messages using information obtained from social media or data breaches, making their scams more convincing.
   
3. Lack of Awareness: Many users are not as vigilant about security on their mobile devices as they are on their computers, making them more susceptible to these attacks.

Cybird’s Comprehensive Protection on Phones

Cybird offers a cloud-first, always up-to-date solution that ensures your family is protected from the growing threat of phone-based phishing. Here’s how Cybird tackles these threats on mobile devices:

• Real-Time Threat Detection: Cybird continuously monitors and analyzes incoming SMS messages and phone calls for signs of phishing attempts, blocking malicious websites if you accidentally open them.
  
• Secure Browsing: Our solution filters malicious websites and links, ensuring that even if a phishing link is clicked, users are prevented from accessing harmful sites.
  
• Parental Controls: Cybird allows parents to set up alerts and restrictions on their children’s devices, providing an extra layer of security and helping educate younger users about potential threats.
  
• PhishDefender Technology: With Cybird’s zero-day protection tech called PhishDefender, we can detect new and unknown attacks instantly and block them.
  
• Network Agnostic: Works on any network you are on, whether it’s home WiFi or on-the-go 5G.

Conclusion

As phone-based phishing attacks continue to rise, it is crucial to have a robust security solution that can adapt to new threats. Cybird provides comprehensive protection for your family’s mobile devices, ensuring that you can use your phones safely and securely. With Cybird, you can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals and keep your personal information safe.

Start your free trial with Cybird today and experience the peace of mind that comes with knowing your family is protected from the latest cyber threats.

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