That Zoom invite might be a clever phishing trick - Red flags to watch for
Even though people are returning to work in their offices, video conferencing is still common. We’ve been bitten by the video chat bug and regularly have virtual meetings with coworkers and chat with loved ones and friends through webcams and smartphones.
Did you know you can have a Zoom meeting through your TV? One method is to connect a laptop to your TV through an HDMI port. There’s an easier way, however. You can use screen mirroring to connect your smartphone to your TV without the need for extra equipment. Tap or click here and Kim will tell you how it’s done.
But if you’re a regular Zoom user, be careful. An elaborate phishing scheme is making the rounds and could already be in your inbox. Keep reading to find out how to avoid falling victim.
Here’s the backstory
Zoom is massively popular for video conferencing, so it’s no surprise that cybercriminals exploit it to target victims. Armorblox detailed a cyberattack targeting a major online brokerage in a recent blog post. It was initiated via email and was sent to about 10,000 inboxes.
The email was titled, “[External]Zoom Meetings 11:00 AM Eastern Time [US and Canada],” and the body contained the message, “Your participants have joined you in a meeting.” There’s also a button to join the meeting.
Clicking on the link brings you to a fake Microsoft Outlook login page. Enter your credentials and they’re sent to the crooks.
The malicious email bypassed Microsoft’s security controls and was determined to be from a safe sender. Last year we reported on similar attacks involving fake Google Meet links.
This type of phishing attack is especially dangerous since the message appears to come from a trusted organization. It’s become instinctual for some to join a meeting via an email invite.
How to protect yourself from phishing attacks
Exercise caution when receiving any links through your email or text messages. You can take many more steps to avoid falling victim to phishing scams. Here are some tips:
- Don’t click on links and attachments that you receive in unsolicited emails.
- If the message gives you a sense of urgency, delete it.
- Spelling and grammar errors are big red flags.
- Use two-factor authentication and password managers for better security.
- Keep your operating systems, apps and devices updated with the latest official software and patches.
- Always have a trusted antivirus program updated and running on all your devices. We recommend our sponsor, TotalAV. Right now, get an annual plan with TotalAV for only $19 at ProtectWithKim.com. That’s over 85% off the regular price!
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Thanks to advancing smart device tech, remote meetings are convenient and easy to do. All you need is a phone, and you’re good to go. As people look for work, in-person interviews have been replaced with video. This may take some getting used to, but we’re here to help. Tap or click here for tips on acing a remote job interview.
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As we roll into summer, good news is starting to emerge from the fog of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many states are on the verge of reopening their economies, which means business as usual is about to resume.
Or is it? The pandemic proved that a highly contagious virus is all it takes to devastate peoples’ health and livelihoods. To prevent this from happening again, some of the measures society has taken will likely remain. At least for the time being. Tap or click here to see the proven methods to protect yourself from the coronavirus.