India Among Top Targets for Phishing Attacks via WhatsApp and Telegram
A recent report has highlighted India’s position among the top three countries facing phishing attacks, particularly through widely-used instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram. Here are the key findings and insights from the report:
Dominance of Phishing via Instant Messaging Apps
The report revealed that a significant portion of phishing attacks, spanning from December 2020 to May, were conducted through instant messaging platforms. WhatsApp accounted for the largest share of detected malicious links at 89.6%, followed by Telegram at 5.6%. Other messaging apps like Viber and Hangouts also experienced phishing incidents but to a lesser extent.
Regional Distribution of Attacks
Among the countries experiencing the highest number of phishing attacks, Russia took the lead with 46%, followed by Brazil at 15%, and India at 7%. This distribution reflects the global nature of phishing activities, targeting users across various regions.
Challenges and Strategies Against Phishing
Tatyana Shcherbakova, Senior Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky, emphasized the challenges posed by phishing attacks in instant messenger apps. She highlighted the importance of vigilance and the use of anti-phishing technologies as effective measures against such cyber threats.
Growing Popularity of Messenger Apps
Messenger apps have surpassed social networks in popularity by 20% in 2020, becoming the preferred mode of communication for billions of users globally. This widespread usage makes these platforms attractive targets for cybercriminals.
Detection and Geographical Patterns
Despite Telegram having fewer detections compared to WhatsApp, both platforms showed similar geographical patterns in terms of malicious link distribution. The majority of malicious links were detected in Russia, followed by India and Turkey.
User Awareness and Caution
The report underscores the importance of user awareness and caution when interacting with messages and links on messenger apps. Even seemingly legitimate messages can contain phishing attempts, highlighting the need for a cautious approach regardless of the sender.
Recommendations for Users
The researchers advised users to remain cautious and skeptical of hyperlinks and attachments, even if they appear to come from trusted sources. They also reminded users that hacked accounts could send malicious messages, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance.
In conclusion, the prevalence of phishing attacks via WhatsApp, Telegram, and other messenger apps highlights the evolving landscape of cyber threats. User education, coupled with robust security measures, remains crucial in combating these malicious activities and protecting sensitive information online.
