The FBI warns iOS and Android phone owners about Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing attacks.
The latest warning from the FBI for iOS and Android users comes in the form of a Public Service Announcement. The warning says that since last month, malicious actors have impersonated senior US officials to target individuals. Many of those targeted are current or former senior US federal or state government officials themselves. The FBI suggests that if you receive a message from someone claiming to be a senior US official, « do not assume that it is authentic. »
These attacks have come in the form of fake texts, a practice known as « smishing », and via fake AI-generated phone calls, which is a practice known as « vishing. » These texts and calls claim to come from senior US officials and try to cozy up with the targets to gain a rapport with the attackers and their victims. Earning that trust goes a long way toward helping the attackers convince their victims that they need to be sent their personal data, including the credentials they use to sign into personal accounts including banking apps, securities apps, crypto wallets, and other higher sensitive accounts accessible via the target’s mobile devices.
« Smishing » is the malicious targeting of individuals using Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) text messaging. « Vishing », which may incorporate AI-generated voices, is the malicious targeting of individuals using voice memos.
