Spoofing
Candlefocus EditorThe intent of spoofing attackers is to trick victims into divulging personal information such as passwords and banking details. Spoofing emails may purport to come from a trusted source, such as a company’s HR department, and request that the recipient click a link and input their credentials. Such messages should be treated with suspicion and their source should be immediately verified.
Similar to phishing emails, malicious text messages may be sent with links to malicious sites to download malware or request personal details. In these cases, it is recommended that files are only downloaded from trusted sources and that reputable and updated antivirus and antimalware software is installed on the computer. Caller ID spoofing is often used to hide a caller’s true identity and make it appear as though the call is coming from a trusted source. As with other forms of spoofing, caution should be exercised if you are asked to input personal information over the phone.
Finally, GPS spoofing attackers attempt to disguise their exact location by emitting false GPS signals. This form of spoofing is most commonly used in activities such as drone flying and fishing, in order to confuse drones and fish respectively.
If you have been the victim of a spoofing attack, you should inform the relevant authorities and take steps to protect yourself. In the US, you can report the incident to the Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer Complaint Center and, if you have lost money as a result, contact the police.
Overall, it is important to practice caution when engaging with suspicious links and messages, and to be aware of the risks of spoofing. Installing a reputable antimalware and antivirus software on your computer can help protect you from spoofing attacks.