Cybersecurity. Internet phishing is getting more and more sophisticated

Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, the official platform in charge of helping individuals and small businesses with cybersecurity, presented its 2020 report on Thursday. The opportunity to send a warning message about phishing (or phishing), these fake messages which aim to extort confidential information.

“The era of phishing riddled with spelling mistakes seems to be over”, said Jean-Jacques Latour, one of the managers of Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr. “Today, we sell ready-to-use kits on criminal forums that are highly professional in their interface (presentation) and their mode of deployment”, he noted.

SMS attacks are on the rise

Phishing is the leading cause of requests for assistance from individuals to the internet platform, with 17% of requests in 2020. confinement “Had a multiplier effect” of these attempts to trap Internet users, with an increase in « 400 % » requests for assistance during the first weeks under cover, he explained.

Hackers sent false messages about masks, certificates, aid, tax refunds, or activities related to containment : False messages relating to packages awaiting delivery have multiplied. « We have also seen the development of SMS attacks ”, cybercriminals who found that “People are much more confident” with this mode of communication, he said. Today, “There are cases where phishing is very difficult for the victims to spot”.

According to the platform, the second category of attacks concerning individuals is the hacking of social network accounts or email boxes (12% of requests for assistance). Next come the fake tech support scam (11% of requests) and webcam blackmail (8%).

Ransomware, the most reported attack by businesses

Launched in 2017, Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr is a public interest grouping bringing together public and private partners. Its essential tool is its website, which allows Internet users to find advice and contacts from professionals who can help them. 105,000 people or companies followed a support program on the platform in 2020, an increase of 25% in 2019.

Among professionals – VSEs / SMEs or small local communities – ransomware is the most reported attack in 2020, with 17% of requests for assistance, ahead of computer hacking (16%) and account hacking (11%) .

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