Email security has improved. Spam filters are smarter. Employees are more cautious about clicking links.
So attackers adapted.
They're calling your team directly. They're sending text messages that look like they came from your bank, your IT department, or your CEO. And because most people apply far less skepticism to a phone call or a text than they do to an email, it's working.
Vishing (voice phishing) uses phone calls to manipulate targets into revealing sensitive information, approving transfers, or granting system access. The caller often impersonates a bank, IT support, a vendor, or an executive.
Smishing (SMS phishing) does the same through text messages — typically including a link that leads to a fake login page or a prompt to call a fraudulent number.
Both rely on the same principle: your team is more likely to respond quickly to a call or text than an email, and less likely to stop and verify.
A staff member gets a call from someone claiming to be from their IT support team. They say there's been unusual activity on the account, and they need remote access to investigate. The caller knows the employee's name and their manager's name.
Or a text arrives, appearing to be from a known vendor, asking to confirm payment details via a link before an invoice is processed.
Neither looks alarming in the moment. That's intentional.
AI voice cloning is also making vishing more sophisticated. Attackers can now replicate a familiar voice — including an executive's — with only a few seconds of audio sourced from a public video or voicemail.
Never provide account details, passwords, or access over an unsolicited call or text — Legitimate IT teams, banks, and vendors won't ask for this information this way.
Hang up and call back using a verified number — If a caller claims urgency, that's a reason to pause, not act. End the call and reach out directly using a number you already have on file.
Treat unexpected links in text messages as suspicious by default — Even if the sender looks familiar, go directly to the source rather than clicking through.
Train your team to recognize AI voice cloning as a real and growing threat — If a voice message or call feels off, even slightly, verify before acting.
At Aurora InfoTech, we are dedicated to assisting businesses in enhancing their Cybersecurity defenses.
With our team of experts and comprehensive solutions, we help ensure your systems and data are protected against evolving cyber threats.