Zoom's very own popularity has definitely bloomed during the health crisis that the world is experiencing as of the moment and this is not really surprising. With the increasing number of people stuck at home, the popular video platform has become the main way for businesses, friends, families, and others to keep in touch with one another. However, due to its popularity, the app has become quite an obvious target for certain cybercriminals.

Zoom scams: New trick

According to the story by Express UK, due to Zoom's popularity, it has currently become a huge target for cyber criminals. These cyber criminals have reportedly been trying to use fake links in order to trick users into handing over their own personal data or even download some vicious malware onto the victim's PC.

According to a report by the official Better Business Bureau recently, scammers have registered 2,449 particular zoom-related web domains from spring alone. The fake addresses even look just like the real thing and they are used to trick users into inputting their own personal logins.

Zoom hacking issue

One particularly crafty approach is how hackers send either emails or WhatsApp messages stating that the users' Zoom account is soon to be suspended. In order to stop the account from being suspended, users are then urged to click on a link which still looks like the real thing.

Once the link is clicked, criminals will then attempt to get certain personal data like email addresses, usernames, passwords, and etc. which can all be used in order to access either Zoom profiles or even target other particular accounts. It is also through the use of fake Zoom emails that this malware is being spread.

If you're a business owner and want to avoid someone else posing as your company, you should always check your SPF records in DNS settings to see if SPF is set up ok (SPF flattening). In that way, no one can send emails as though they are coming from your email (spoofing). Doing SPF record checking is important otherwise others can spam as if coming from your email. Get your SPF record checked here.

Can you get hacked from opening an email?

According to a particular Ray Walsh, a Digital Privacy Expert at the known ProPrivacy, for many users, video conferencing through the use of Zoom has now become something that happens everyday for both professional and personal reasons. Unfortunately, this is also now a target of cyber criminals to make money from the given situation.

It was stated that Zoom users need to be careful with regards to the latest Zoom phishing scam that is currently circulating. The scam works by tricking users into following a particular false link, email, text, or even a WhatsApp message that notifies that the users' account is allegedly going to be or is suspended.

Read Also: 300,000 Spotify Users Hacked: Email Addresses, Logins, and Other Data Exposed

How can you tell if an email is a phishing email?

Unwittingly, victims then click on the known link that actually provides the given account information which will then result in their own login credentials as well as passwords stolen and could even infect the users' device with malware. The Zoom scam statedly appears to look like an actual legitimate notification coming from Zoom that tells users that their account has actually been temporarily deactivated and is now in need of reactivation.

The article then warned users that should they receive emails, texts, or even WhatsApp messages like this, they should not fall for the trick. Users should head straight to the official website in order to test out if their account really is suspended.

Related Article: Google Hack: How to Spot Fake News and Scams with Reverse Image Search

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Written by Urian Buenconsejo