Don’t fall for this iCloud scam

RapidVPN/ April 18, 2019/ Blog/

iCloud scam

In recent years, the scams that have been attacking Apple users grew in danger and damage they can do. Victims are often not even aware that they have been misled and fallen into a dangerous threat that those scams exploit.

It often starts with a phone call, a simple phone call claiming to be from Apple, and giving you the information of an iCloud breach. But, beware! This is where the scheme starts. The people called telephone scammers – actually a group of hackers – are cold-calling people and then they claim that your iCloud (Apple cloud service) has been hacked. When they ask you to give to them your personal account details – it is where the attack begins. It can also be a slightly different way around when a potential victim receives an automated message that usually claims to be from Apple’s support. It also gives notice that your iCloud account has been or will be breached and that you need human “help”. If you fall under the scam and give your personal information, it then directly allows hackers to have your account’s most valuable information. They can they use however they want, even making purchases or do whatever they please in your name.

There can also be this deceit – they direct victims to install onto their computers the so-called “antivirus software” when in reality it is actually malware, and furthermore, they charge them for that privilege.

The main problem is that people simply continue to use or reuse their passwords over and over. It seems as if the users are not aware that once your account on any website is hacked – and your password is made public – any other device that you use will be vulnerable. That’s the most important thing actually! Phone scammers could not do anything if the victim willingly yet unknowingly do not give them details or do according to what they say. The users must be aware of the constant threat and that if you have reused the same password over and over again – it quite certain that anyone might be able to maybe gain access to your account. Phone phishing usually invokes some element of urgency in order for people to let their guards down. Once people get worried that there may be something wrong with their account and wish to call the number back, it’s all over. People must learn to simply ignore those calls of reach for the official company’s Website and furthermore look up for their main customer support number. If you suspect that for example, your bank account is under the threat – call the number of the bank on the back of the card.

It is not surprising that security experts continue repeating that you use a different and strong password for any account that you have, if you can not remember them all – then there is even an app called a password manager. After all, the security scheme for protecting your account is also enabling the two-factor authentication if and whenever it is made possible.

Those scams are not only potentially dangerous for your most private information – but they also may steal your private photos, as many of the celebrities know, because they have been victims of exposing their most private moments by stealing them, quite often.

Even though the security experts have been working on managing and finding the way to eliminate as much as possible of those scams, they still remain to be active. The good news is that even though the websites used for those scams are still active, Chrome or Firefox nowadays identify them as deceptive. If and when you get redirected to any of them, you should see a warning. Furthermore, measures include of course double-checking that emails are genuine before clicking on any links.

There is an ID scam lurking around also, called making rounds, and it carries the notice that claims that target’s Apple ID has been disabled with a note that if Apple does not hear from the user within 48 hours, the iCloud account will be suspended and data will be lost. But if a user examine it closely – he may see that the sending address is not in any way associated with Apple. An attack may be highly incompetent or extremely sophisticated. With the combined measures against it, and not trusting one solution – one may be able to steer clear from it.

If a person realizes that he has fallen victim to a scam, Apple advises him to change the password immediately. In case you unknowingly shared your information about the bank account or debit card – contact your bank right away. If you get a call that something about your iCloud is not working – forward the email to the official email of the Apple.

There is not one secure way that could get you rid of the scammers or potential threats. As mentioned above, with the combined techniques and giving full attention to any at least a little bit suspicious email or call – many unfortunate frauds or deceits may be stopped.