November 26, 2024, 11:47 am | Read time: 3 minutes
At Apple, many sensitive processes are linked to the so-called Apple ID. Fraudsters now want to exploit this and send false warnings to users.
To make full use of the services of the US company Apple, you need to create an Apple ID. This is linked to the App Store, personal payment details, iCloud, iMessage, and other personal data. This also makes it attractive to fraudsters who want to exploit this for a new scam. TECHBOOK explains the details.
Scam targets Apple ID
As reported by Forbes and others, cybercriminals are currently sending fake messages to a large number of Apple users. There is talk of more than two billion affected users worldwide. Once again, the fraudsters are relying on phishing emails, which, in this case, are sent in the name of Apple. The messages look deceptively genuine.
According to Forbes, the fraudsters are increasingly using AI-supported designs. The technology makes it easier for criminals to imitate the style and design of real companies. The timing of this latest wave of phishing also appears to be deliberate. In the run-up to Black Friday, many providers send out an increased number of emails.
The current scam is once again designed to entice victims to click on a link within the message. Apple users are warned that their Apple ID has allegedly been blocked. In order to be able to use it again, the recipients should follow the link and the subsequent instructions.
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What those affected should do
If you have also received such a message, do not click on any link. As a rule, these redirect you to malware-laden websites that are designed to steal sensitive user data. You are then asked to enter your login details there, for example. Emails from genuine companies do not ask recipients to open a link directly from the email – so phishing attempts can often be recognized at an early stage.
Apple points this out on its correspondence support page: “Never enter your account details on websites redirected to by these messages, and never download or open attachments contained in these messages.” Should Apple actually ask you to update payment or other information, the messages would always contain instructions on how to do this yourself via the device settings.
Apple also warns that sensitive data is never requested in official emails from the company. This includes, for example, social security numbers or any credit card identification numbers. You should also be very careful, especially when it comes to your Apple ID.
It is, therefore, best to simply ignore messages with such a link and mark them as spam. If you want to take further action, then report the email. You can either do this directly via Apple at the email address reportphishing@apple.com or warn other users via the Apple forum.