Warning: phishing campaigns targeting teachers and students are carried out via WhatsApp

The Electronic Security Service under the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies has recorded yet another phishing campaign carried out via WhatsApp. The target of the next phishing campaign carried out by cyber fraudsters is teachers and students. Thus, spam messages sent via WhatsApp under the title “Free laptop support 2020” reported that allegedly computer companies have provided free laptops to teachers and students.
 
To get a free laptop, the user is invited to follow the link to choose a brand of laptop by indicating name, surname and mobile phone number.
 
And in the next step, the user is required to send this message to 20 WhatsApp users or 5 groups in the contact list.
 
At the last stage, the user is asked to download the application and wait for a response from admin within 24 hours.
 
The purpose of cybercriminals is to make money in an easy way by collecting fake ad views, to force users to download third-party apps and to seize personal data.
 
The first way to protect yourself from such cyberattacks is to be suspicious of every message you receive, not to succumb to deception, not to respond to tempting offers immediately and verify the accuracy of information using various communication tools.
 
Users receiving such messages are asked not to reply to them and to report them as spam by selecting “Report Spam”.
 
Also, when you faced any cyber incidents or need methodological support, please contact the Electronic Security Service under the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies via the website www.cert.az  or e-mail reports@cert.az.