Many believe that technology is the biggest blessing we’ve ever received, but the truth is that it’s a double-edged sword, especially when it comes to smartphones.
Smartphones offer a wealth of functionalities that you can use to make your life better, but they also come with a plethora of vulnerabilities that make smartphone owners the target of different kinds of fraudsters and scammers of all types. The new fraud trend has been a piece of software called “Anydesk.”
How Can Fraudsters Steal Your Money with Anydesk?
Anydesk is a remote desktop application that can grant anyone access to your phone and any data stored in it, including bank account credentials and apps. The fraudster will ask you to download Anydesk from Playstore or Appstore so that they can assist you with any issue you have.
The context may differ, but all of them will ask for the 9-digit code that the app generates so that they can access your smartphone. When downloaded, the app will ask for permission to control your device. Most people skip reading the terms and just accept anything the app requests, which is a dangerous mistake.
Once they get the access code, the fraudster will be able to carry out transactions through any payment-related Apps, which include the unified payments interface (UPI) platform, mobile wallets, etc. In other words, your bank account may become empty before you know it.
RBI Warns Users about Anydesk
The Cyber Security and IT Examination Cell of the Reserve Bank of India sent an alert on February 14 on how such frauds happen. The notice detailed the procedure and warned users about installing Anydesk and any similar app that may be used allegedly to steal users’ data and carry out unauthorized transactions.
The RBI also warned all the payment systems operators and banks and asked them to spread awareness among their users to avoid and minimize such cybercrimes.
What Can You Do to Avoid Being Scammed?
The first thing that you need to do is to avoid download any app suggested by an unknown or unverified third party. When you reach out for assistance through mobile or the internet, make sure you’re dealing with a certified support assistant.
Should someone ask you to download a screen sharing app, either Anydesk or any similar one, head to the settings and check the permissions that the application seeks. Some grants are huge red flags, such as SMS. Only your SMS app should have permission to access your messages, so if another app asks for the same, make sure to avoid it like the plague.
Common-sense cybersecurity measures are also to be taken seriously. Here are a few tips just to name a few:
- Use strong passwords that are difficult to guess.
- Never share your credentials and passwords with anyone, especially over the phone.
- Restrict access to your devices to any unauthorized users.
- Monitor your smartphone for intrusion attempts.
In the end, it all boils down to how much you care about the data you have on your phone – something that’s more often than not overlooked by smartphone users.
Don’t forget to raise awareness and spread the word regarding Anydesk and similar software!