Beware of “support call” ransomware scams: protect your business from cyber threats
In today’s digital age, ransomware attacks are a major concern for businesses of all sizes. One of the latest and most deceptive scams on the rise involves cybercriminals posing as IT support staff, particularly through Microsoft Teams. If you or your employees receive an unsolicited support call or message claiming to be from Microsoft Teams support, be on high alert. This could be part of a dangerous scheme aimed at gaining control of your devices and locking you out of your data unless you pay a hefty ransom.
How the Scam Works
This scam begins when cybercriminals flood an employee’s inbox with a barrage of spam emails, rendering it nearly unusable. Once the inbox is overwhelmed, they follow up with a phone call or message, claiming to be from IT support and offering to help fix the issue. Sounds like a helpful solution, right? However, this is a clever trick.
The scammers will ask employees to install remote desktop software, such as AnyDesk, or to use built-in tools like Windows Quick Assist. These tools give the attacker full access to the employee’s device, allowing them to move through the network, steal sensitive data, and ultimately deploy ransomware across the system. This can result in the encryption of files, making them completely inaccessible unless the victim pays the ransom.
A New Twist: Fake Microsoft Teams Support
The scam has evolved even further, with cybercriminals setting up fake Microsoft Teams accounts designed to look like legitimate IT support channels. These fake accounts use usernames like “Help Desk” or similar, combined with fake Microsoft tenant domains such as “securityadminhelper.onmicrosoft.com”. By impersonating support staff on Microsoft Teams, these attackers gain trust and manipulate employees into granting them access to their devices.
Once they’ve gained control, the attackers can launch ransomware attacks, which can lock you out of your data and cripple your business operations.
Why Ransomware is a Growing Threat
Ransomware is one of the most dangerous types of cyberattacks. If successful, it can lock your business out of vital data and disrupt operations. The impact doesn’t end there. Ransomware attacks can:
- Shut down your business operations, making it impossible to serve customers or maintain workflow.
- Compromise confidential information, potentially leaking sensitive data to the public or competitors.
- Lead to financial losses, both from the ransom itself and the costs involved in recovering from the attack.
Additionally, ransomware attacks can damage your business reputation, erode customer trust, and even lead to legal consequences if sensitive information is exposed.
How to Protect Your Business
It’s crucial to raise awareness within your organization to ensure everyone knows how to spot these scams and respond appropriately. Here are key steps to safeguard your business:
- Educate Your Team: Ensure employees are aware of the dangers of unsolicited support calls, emails, or Teams messages. Remind them to be skeptical if they receive unexpected requests for remote access or software installation.
- Verify IT Support Requests: Always double-check with your actual IT department or security team before allowing anyone access to your devices or network. If an employee receives an unsolicited request, they should always confirm with the IT department before taking any action.
- Secure Microsoft Teams: If your business uses Microsoft Teams, make sure it’s properly configured. Restrict external chats to trusted domains only, and enable chat logging to monitor any suspicious activity.
- Use Strong Cybersecurity Measures: Implement multi-layered security protocols, including firewalls, antivirus software, and strong password policies. Regularly update your software to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Back Up Data Regularly: Regular backups are a crucial step in recovering from a ransomware attack. If your data is backed up and secure, you won’t have to rely on paying a ransom to regain access to your files.
Stay Vigilant and Safe
Ransomware scams are a serious threat that can lead to devastating consequences for your business. By staying vigilant and ensuring that your team is well-informed about potential scams, you can help prevent these attacks before they occur.
Secure your communications channels, especially Microsoft Teams, and make sure employees know to question unsolicited support requests. Remember, the attackers are always evolving their tactics, but with the right training and precautions in place, your business can stay one step ahead.
If you need help securing your IT systems or setting up defenses against these scams, don’t hesitate to reach out.
We’re here to help you safeguard your business and keep your data secure.
