Imagine you’re just going about your day when you suddenly get an email from a company that says a hacker is targeting you. Since you don’t work in IT and aren’t sure about your company’s security details, you believe the email and reply. It turns out the email was a scam, unfortunately, and now the hackers have tricked you completely.
Hackers Can Pretend to Be Cybersecurity Companies
Believe it or not, hackers sometimes act like real cybersecurity companies to fool people. For example, there have been cases where hackers used the name of a trusted firm like CrowdStrike to run scams. In one scam, people were told to call a support number. When they did, the hacker took over their computer remotely while the person was left confused and helpless.
The email might look real because it talks about things like using outside security providers, spotting unusual activity, and a potential breach. It even has a fake case number and contact details. If you call the number, the hacker installs software on your device, giving them ongoing access whenever they want.
Why Do They Do This?
The attackers might be aiming to control your system later or even sell access to your device to someone else. Either way, it’s a dangerous situation you need to be careful about. This can get even more dangerous when you have access to business servers with all types of mission-critical and consumer data.
What Should You Do?
Usually, your own IT department or security team will never contact you in the way described above. To avoid falling for these scams, remember these tips:
- Verify the sender’s identity using another method.
- Check for spelling errors or odd language in the message.
- Contact your own IT department instead of using any numbers or links provided in the email.
At North Central Technologies, we’re here to be your trusted IT support. We promise you won’t have to call a fake helpline for help with your security. Instead, we handle everything behind the scenes so you don’t have to worry about it. If you want to know more about our services, give us a call at 978-798-6805.
