Password theft is one of the worst problems we can find on the Internet. Hackers use different methods to compromise our records and it is important to be protected to avoid this. In this article we are going to talk about bank Phishing . We are going to explain how it works and why it is so dangerous. We will also give some tips to protect ourselves and avoid being robbed.
What is bank phishing?
Phishing attacks can be said to be a widely used technique to steal passwords . It is a classic that has been adapting to changes. It is widely used to steal passwords of all kinds, such as social networks, Internet forums, and also bank accounts. And the latter is very important, since it is very common to use our mobile to access the bank or make a payment from the computer.
An attack of this type is a bait that seeks to get the victim to open a link or download a file . For example, they can send an email indicating that there has been an error in our bank account and we must change something in the configuration, verify identity, etc. They ask us to click and log in. But of course, we are sending the password to a server controlled by the attackers.
The same happens also through an SMS . In fact this has increased a lot in recent years. They impersonate the identity of the bank and impersonate them so that we download an application or enter from a link. Also in this case they will find a way to deceive us through a supposed problem or something that we should do.
Therefore, basically a bank Phishing attack consists of the victim entering a fake link or page, which they have created as if it were something legitimate, and the passwords and credentials are sent to a server controlled by the cybercriminal. In this way it manages to steal the keys and have control of that account.
Why is it such a popular method?
Now, what makes hackers use phishing attacks so much to steal bank accounts? There are several reasons for this. One of them is that it is relatively easy to reach many users at once. That is, they can send thousands of emails to thousands of hypothetical victims. If only a handful fall for the trap, they have already made a profit.
It is also widely used for the ease of accessing Phishing kits . On the Dark Web, an attacker, even without becoming an expert in cybersecurity, will be able to acquire everything necessary to carry out this type of attack and compromise the security of many Internet users.
On the other hand, it is a method that is not easy to be detected by an antivirus . It is true that the security tools have improved and, for example, they can detect dangerous domains, even so many sneak into the email and that results in a major problem.
Another issue to keep in mind is that it can affect people of all ages . They can send SMS to many numbers and maybe an older person who does not have the necessary knowledge to avoid these threats will fall for it. They find a message on their mobile saying that they have to enter the bank account, they have activated this option because it is something very common nowadays, but they do not know that it can really be a trap.
What to do to protect ourselves
After having explained all this, the most important thing remains: what can we do to avoid the theft of bank passwords and be completely protected on the Internet. We are going to show a series of recommendations that you must apply for this specific case, but that will also be useful to avoid similar attacks on the Internet.
Avoid making mistakes
Without a doubt, the most important thing of all is common sense and not making mistakes. Bank phishing attacks will require the interaction of the victim. The attacker needs us to click on a link, download a file, or log in in some way to steal information and passwords.
Therefore, it is essential to always maintain common sense, to know at all times where we are entering and where we are going to put our data. In the slightest doubt, it is better not to send anything. If you receive an email or SMS saying that your account has been stolen or that there is a problem, do not fall for this type of bait and, whenever you have doubts, contact your bank through official means.
keep everything up to date
Another very important point is to always have everything updated. Here we must include the operating system itself, the applications we use or any software or driver. On many occasions, vulnerabilities appear that are exploited by hackers. This will allow the entry of malware or will serve to deploy Phishing attacks.
In the case of Windows, to update to the latest version you have to go to Start, enter Settings and go to Windows Update . There you will see possible new versions that you can install to correct any problem that may exist.
The steps are similar in any other operating system you use, whether on a computer or mobile. In addition, you should especially take this into account when using programs connected to the Internet, such as the browser or the application itself to enter the online bank account.
Have security programs
There are many security programs that you can use to protect your computers and prevent the entry of viruses and any variety of malware. For example you can use a good antivirus . Some options like Windows Defender, Bitdefender or Avast work very well. However, there are many alternatives, both free and paid, for all types of systems.
But you don’t have to limit yourself to just antivirus, since we can also have firewalls or even security add-ons for the browser. In all these cases, the objective is to keep hackers away and to be able to detect any security threat that may appear.
Activate two-step authentication
If there is something very useful to combat banking Phishing attacks, it is to activate two-step authentication. Basically what it does is create an extra layer of security. An additional barrier that will allow a hacker to not be able to enter the account even if they knew the password.
More and more online services allow multi-factor authentication to be enabled. Whenever you can, it is something you should keep in mind to maximize protection. That second code is usually an SMS, an email or also through an application.
Use only official apps
To avoid security problems when using banking applications, it is essential to use only the official ones. But beyond that, you should download them from legitimate sources. For example, the bank’s own website or official stores such as Google Play. In this way you will avoid the risk that this software has been maliciously modified.
It is precisely through fake applications a method widely used by hackers to launch attacks. They modify a program to make it look legitimate but it is actually a scam so they can steal passwords.
In short, bank Phishing is a very common problem that affects our bank accounts on the Internet. It is important to know how it works and also how we can maintain security and avoid being victims of this problem.
