Just as organisations increasingly rely on UC and collaboration platforms to function and thrive, cybercriminals continue to target these tools with increasingly advanced social engineering tactics.

One such method is “vishing”, or voice phishing, which exploits the trust inherent in voice communication. The rapid adoption of remote and hybrid work has exacerbated vulnerabilities, making it absolutely critical for organisations to understand vishing’s rise and its potential to disrupt UC and collaboration platforms.

Wait, What’s Happened?

Last week, Trend Micro reported that cybercriminals are targeting Microsoft Teams users with “vishing” attacks, using Teams calls to impersonate user clients and gain remote access to their systems.

As Trend Micro outlines, the attack began with a flood of phishing emails overwhelming a victim’s account. The cybercriminal then followed up with a phone call, posing as a tech support assistant and offering to “resolve” the problem they had triggered.

In this case, the attacker initially failed to install a Microsoft Remote Support app but successfully convinced the victim to download AnyDesk, a widely used remote access tool.

Using AnyDesk, the attacker deployed a PowerShell-based malware dropper onto the victim’s system, which subsequently downloaded the DarkGate malware. DarkGate, a Remote Access Trojan (RAT), enables cybercriminals to remotely control infected systems, steal sensitive data, and carry out further compromises.

Although the attack was halted before any data was stolen, this incident highlights the growing sophistication of cyberattack strategies and the advanced technologies being leveraged by attackers to exploit vulnerabilities.

What Exactly Is Vishing?

Vishing is a type of social engineering attack in which fraudsters manipulate people into revealing sensitive information over a phone or calling app.

Unlike traditional phishing, which relies on email or text messages, vishing leverages the human voice to build trust and urgency. Attackers often impersonate authority figures—such as IT personnel, executives, or financial institutions—to extract login credentials, financial information, or other sensitive data.

The ever-rapid advancement of technology has made vishing more sophisticated. Attackers now use tools like Voice over IP (VoIP) to spoof caller IDs, making their calls appear legitimate. AI-powered voice cloning has added another layer of complexity, enabling attackers to mimic the voices of trusted individuals.

These tactics exploit people’s natural tendency to trust verbal communication and often the victim’s frustration and urgency to fix the problem, as in the Microsoft Teams case study outlined above.

How Might This Challenge UC & Collaboration Platforms And The Organisations That Use Them?

There are several ways in which UC and collaboration platforms’ interconnectedness makes them attractive targets for vishing attacks.

Firstly, there’s the danger of credential threat and unauthorised access. Vishing attacks often aim to steal user credentials, which can then be used to infiltrate UC platforms. Once inside, attackers can access sensitive communications and confidential files and even compromise workflows by impersonating legitimate users.

A second issue is data breaches and compliance risks. A successful vishing attack can culminate in data breaches, exposing sensitive business information and customer data. For industries bound by regulations like GDPR or HIPAA, such violations can result in significant fines and reputational damage.

Thirdly, there is the broad danger of operations disruption. Attackers may use vishing to disrupt business operations by gaining control of comms channels. For example, they could impersonate IT admins and convince employees to disable critical security features, paving the way for broader attacks.

Next is the viable exploitation of hybrid work vulnerabilities. As the new normal, hybrid work has increased reliance on UC platforms, producing new vulnerabilities. Workers functioning remotely may lack access to robust security measures, making them more susceptible to vishing attacks. Additionally, merging personal and professional devices can blur the lines of accountability and security.

Finally, there is the danger of financial fraud. Attackers can use UC platforms to authorise fraudulent transactions by impersonating executives or finance personnel. This method, often called “CEO fraud”, can be devastating for businesses.

How Can Organisations Ready Themselves For Vishing Attacks?

Organisations can adopt several strategies to counter the threat of vishing. First and foremost, employee training is essential to help staff recognise and respond to vishing attempts. This includes educating workers about common vishing tactics, such as spoofed caller IDs and AI voice cloning, and fostering a culture of scepticism around unsolicited requests for sensitive data.

Another critical step is taking advantage of advanced security capabilities. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection by requiring more than just a password for access. This limits the viability of unauthorised entry, even if credentials are compromised.

Additionally, implementing voice biometrics can bolster security by authenticating users based on unique voice patterns, making it harder for attackers to impersonate legitimate users.

Monitoring UC platforms for unusual activity is equally important. Organisations can deploy tools that detect anomalies, such as logins from unexpected locations or attempts to access restricted data. These tools can produce real-time alerts so that IT teams can respond rapidly to potential breaches.

Organisations can also establish clear communication protocols. For example, employees should have a secure way to verify the identity of callers who request sensitive info. A centralised system for reporting suspected vishing attempts can reinforce defences by ensuring that incidents are logged and investigated promptly.

Finally, businesses can regularly update and test their security measures. Conducting simulated vishing attacks can help identify vulnerabilities and improve overall resilience.



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