Fox News: Scammers find sneaky way to bypass your iPhone's safety features

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Scammers find sneaky way to bypass your iPhone's safety features

Tech expert Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson says cybercriminals are exploiting iMessage phishing protection, tricking users to reactivate links.......                    ...                        ...In an alarming development, cybercriminals have devised a new method to circumvent Apple's built-in phishing protection for iMessage, potentially exposing you to malicious links and scams. This sophisticated tactic exploits a security feature designed to protect you, turning it into a vulnerability that could lead to significant personal and financial risks.......You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......Enter the giveaway by signing up for my You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login.......Apple's iMessage automatically disables links in messages from unknown senders as a security measure. However, cybercriminals have found a way to exploit this protection. By instructing you to reply to the message, often with a simple "Y," the attackers can re-enable previously disabled links. This seemingly innocuous action not only activates the links but also signals to the scammers that they've found an engaged target for future attacks.......We reached out to Apple for a comment but did not hear back before our deadline.......You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......These deceptive messages often masquerade as notifications from trusted organizations, such as:......The messages typically end with instructions like: "(Please reply Y, then exit the SMS, re-open the SMS activation link, or copy the link to open in Safari)."......You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......This new tactic is part of a broader trend of You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login targeting mobile users. With the increasing reliance on smartphones for various activities, including financial transactions and personal communications, these attacks pose a significant threat to users' security and privacy.......You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......To safeguard against these sophisticated phishing attempts, consider the following steps.......1) Never reply to suspicious messages: Avoid responding to texts from unknown senders, especially those asking you to reply to activate links. Additionally, make sure to You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to prevent further attempts. Since the sender is not in your contact list, you can click Report Junk at the bottom of the text. Then click Delete and Report Junk. This will report the conversation as junk by sending it to your wireless carrier and Apple using your phone number.......2) Verify sender identity: Contact organizations directly through official channels if you're unsure about a message's legitimacy.......3) Be skeptical of urgency: Scammers often use urgent language to prompt quick, thoughtless actions.......4) Enable message filtering: Use your device's built-in filtering options to sort messages from unknown senders. Here are the steps:......This feature allows you to automatically sort messages from unknown senders, easily filter unread messages and manage your message inbox more efficiently.......5) Use two-factor authentication (2FA): You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message or authentication app, in addition to your password. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if your password is compromised.......6) Have strong antivirus software: The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login.......7) Invest in personal data removal services: By reducing your online footprint, you make it harder for cybercriminals to obtain your contact information, potentially preventing them from sending you these deceptive iMessage phishing texts in the first place. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login.......If you suspect you've fallen victim to a smishing attack:......One of the best parts of some identity theft protection services is that they have identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover losses and legal fees and a white-glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login.......This latest trick targeting iMessage users serves as a reminder that even seemingly secure systems can be vulnerable to social engineering. By remaining cautious and following best practices for digital security, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to these sophisticated phishing attempts.......What other cybersecurity challenges have you encountered with your mobile devices, and what questions do you have for us? Let us know by writing us at You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login.......For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login.......You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......Follow Kurt on his social channels:......Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:......New from Kurt:......Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved....

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