2018 May 06 Archive - EXEIdeas – Let's Your Mind Rock

The New York Times wrote an article about a company who got a $166,000 phone bill in the period of two days. This was alarming for the owners of the company and after loads of research, the company’s IT team found out that hackers had hacked their system and placed premium calls to foreign countries. This is just one of the many examples of the cyber threats that take place within companies’ every day. Often times, these businesses don’t know how to prove their innocence or prove the fraud. And as far as the IT department goes, they are guilty of the security breach because these issues fall in their domain.The Main Types of Telecommunications HackingCFCA, an International Association dedicated to fraud risk management, has identified User Authentication Hacking as the largest risk for telecommunications hacking. Through this, the hackers can access all data on a PBX. They do this by attacking the security lapses of network firewalls and then enter through video edge gadgets, therefore it is recommended to use a secure connection like Frontier Internet Service. Usually, this process is completed through SIP trunking. Once the hacker is in the system, they use alter routing plans and can make calls. After that, they quickly disappear and leave the outrageous bill. User Authentication Hacking will occur between 75-90% more in bigger companies.Another type of hacking is SIP Toll Fraud Hacking, which most companies pay less attention to because of the negative press. This attack occurs in the video and audio cycles. It can happen due to the interoperability of proprietary protocols which are present in voice and video calls. It should be noted that the hackers need access to the internal connectivity systems in mobile devices. This way, they can find the user’s PBX through their plan. In organizations where the DNS record is known, the opportunities for hackers to carry out this attack are numerous.It’s important to be aware of how hackers actually exploit videos. The first thing the hackers will do is find potential victims by scanning SRV records. Then they’ll install a bot and place a call to a familiar phone number through the gatekeeper which is external. If successful, the hacker will then decipher what prefix is needed to route the calls. Then comes the horribly expensive bill and the hacker has left without a trace. The example of the phone number in step two is as follows: if a ‘suitable’ number for the hacker is assuming, 872-929-9292, then the hacker will try numbers like, 01-872-929-9292, 09-872-929-9292, etc.Action Against SIP Toll Fraud Probes With VyoptaBy searching the CDR’s (Call Detail Records), collecting them and retaining them, Vyopta helps organizations prevent SIP Toll attacks. During the process, Vyopta employees guide the organization to install security measures utilizing different techniques. Vyopta understands that even though security is the responsibility of the IT department, it is certainly not the only thing they are responsible for.Understanding Mobile SecurityTo keep mobile devices secure, there are a few steps which should be followed. Like they say, one’s focus should be on protecting the information inside one’s mobile rather than the mobile itself. Even though the device may cost a lot, if personal information is stolen, it will prove to be costlier.The information on your mobile phones can and should be protected. Even if your phone gets lost, stolen, etc., no one will be able to access your personal stored data.Always remember to back up your data. Security issues or no security issues, backing up data to the cloud or another hard drive can be lifesaving. This way, you will never lose your data.Even though most phones have other ways to verify your identity other than passwords, such as patterns, codes, touch ID and even face ID for instance, many people do not have verification enabled. Verification helps protect your phone.Nowadays, it’s vital to install mobile security software to protect your device. Mobile software for both Android and iOS devices is readily available. If you don’t want to purchase it, many offer trial versions for you to use, but keep in mind that the trial versions don’t offer the full protection services. Also, make sure that the mobile security software is not a scam and the software can help protect your phone against malicious software, viruses, and other threats.Usually, smartphones have an option which erases all data on your device when the wrong passcode is attempted numerous times. This helps if your phone gets stolen. If you do not have that option built in to your device, you can always download software which can allow you to do that. If your phone gets lost, iPhone has a built-in ‘Find My iPhone’ feature which tracks your phone. On Android, you can download applications for this. These applications are connected to the cloud and can locate your phone anywhere.A lot of companies offer company mobile phones. These phones are there for the employees to use for work related responsibilities. The IT departments should have restrictions enabled on those devices. Users should not be able to download any old application. Updates should be rolled out accordingly.Many companies have rules against employees using their own devices because this creates a huge risk for compromising company data and it ending up on employee devices. Companies which have personal client information usually do not allow their employees to carry personal devices.If you’re using Bluetooth or airdrop, it should be turned off. Users may end up connecting their devices to yours and accessing all of the data. All companies should have technology-based policies on mobile phones for security reasons. Although usually this practice is not followed, even in the bigger organizations.Final Advice:Everything mentioned above are just some of the common ways to protect your phones and devices and their data. As technology progresses and more advancements take place, individuals and organizations should stay up to date to protect data. Each advancement comes with a vulnerability that needs to be addressed so that online threats like viruses and malicious software cannot harm your devices or steal any personal information.About the Author:Elisa Collins, A Tech Junkie / Content Marketer who is happily associated with Frontier Communications. She loves to listen soft music in leisure time.Find Me On GooglePlus | Twitter