 |
| Mechanism of Vishing in OSINT Investigations |
Explore how vishing (voice phishing) works through OSINT research and social engineering. A step by step breakdown, critical analysis, and forensic insights into voice based cybercrime.
As cybersecurity threats evolve, attackers are no longer limited to emails and malicious links. One growing technique is vishing (voice phishing) use of phone calls and voice manipulation to deceive victims. Unlike traditional phishing, vishing relies heavily on psychological manipulation and OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) to make attack believable.
What Is Vishing?
Vishing is a form of social engineering where criminals impersonate trusted individuals (such as bank staff, IT support, or government officials) to extract sensitive information. Attack often leverages:
- Caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate.
- Voice deepfake technology to mimic real people.
- Psychological pressure such as urgency, fear, or authority.
Mechanism of Vishing
1. OSINT Reconnaissance
Attackers collect data from open sources:
- Social media (birthdays, job roles, relationships).
- Corporate websites (executive names, employee directories).
- Data breaches (phone numbers, email addresses).
- Public records (addresses, government filings).
2. Pretext Development
Based on OSINT findings, attackers create a believable story. Examples:
- Pretending to be IT support resetting a password.
- Acting as a bank officer verifying a suspicious transaction.
- Impersonating a government agent warning about unpaid taxes.
3. Call Execution
Attacker places a call using VoIP or spoofed numbers. Common tactics include:
- Urgency: “Your account will be locked in 10 minutes!”
- Authority: “I’m calling from your company’s IT security team.”
- Fear: “If you don’t act now, your funds will be frozen.”
4. Exploitation
Victims are tricked into:
- Sharing personal data (passwords, PINs, security codes).
- Installing remote access software.
- Transferring money to fraudulent accounts.
5. Data Harvesting & Follow Up
Stolen information is used for:
- Account takeover.
- Identity theft.
- Further spear phishing or vishing attacks.
