Cybercriminals are stepping up their game with a sneaky phishing scam that combines Google Drawings and WhatsApp links to steal sensitive information. This clever tactic tricks users into handing over their details while dodging traditional security systems.
How It Works
It starts with a phishing email disguised as an Amazon account verification request. Clicking the link doesn’t take you to Amazon—instead, it redirects you to a graphic hosted on Google Drawings. This makes the scam appear legitimate and bypasses many security filters.
Why Google Drawings?
Hackers use Google Drawings to hide malicious links in a graphic. Users, worried about their accounts, often click these links without realizing they’re being redirected to a fake site.Shortened Links for Extra Deception
The links take you to a fake login page, but not directly. Hackers use WhatsApp links and URL shorteners like qrco[.]de to disguise their tracks, making it harder for security systems to detect the phishing attempt.
What’s at Risk?
The fake Amazon page is designed to steal:
- Login credentials
- Personal information
- Credit card details
Once you submit your data, the scam redirects you to the real Amazon site, leaving you none the wiser. To make things worse, the phishing page becomes inaccessible from your IP address, making it harder to trace.
Extra Concerns
Researchers also discovered a flaw in Microsoft 365's anti-phishing tools, which attackers use to hide security warnings in emails. Microsoft is aware of the issue, but no fix has been implemented yet.
How to Stay Safe
- Double-check links: Hover over links before clicking to verify their legitimacy.
- Be cautious of urgency: Phishing emails often create a sense of panic.
- Use multi-factor authentication: Even if hackers steal your password, they’ll be blocked without your second authentication factor.
Stay vigilant and don’t let clever scams catch you off guard!
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