Attackers have begun sending electronic cards with the gift extension and reduced-size images. These materials contain malicious code that is downloaded to users' devices and allows fraudsters to collect their personal data.
Alla Khrapunova, an expert at the People's Front Analytics, said that attackers often use mailings via messengers in their fraudulent schemes. These can be messages with dangerous links, false text, or attachments in the form of images.
Many people exchange pictures – postcards with the gift extension – almost daily. When clicked, the picture "comes to life", becomes colorful with additional effects. But there are known cases when fraudsters embed malicious code that is downloaded to the user's device when the picture is clicked.
In addition, reduced images that require zooming in to see them can also be dangerous. When viewing a picture, there is a risk of getting to a fake website that can collect the user's personal data without them noticing.
The specialist believes that you should not trust information received from anonymous sources. However, malicious images and photos can also come from acquaintances, which may be the result of hacking their accounts in messengers.
It is important to remain vigilant and, if you receive an unusual message from a friend, especially if it contains an attachment in the form of a photo or image without a preview. In such a situation, it is better to clarify with the sender what exactly is in the attachment, using another method of communication.
Elementary rules of digital hygiene will help protect your device from external threats and sensitive data leaks.
Earlier, a new type of fraud appeared in Telegram, associated with files with the ARK extension. Users receive messages from unknown contacts with the question: "Is this you in the photo?", but the image itself is not displayed, and the file looks like an archive. When users download such files to their devices, they not only do not see the photos, but also inadvertently install malicious software on their devices.
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