RaonSecure has warned that malicious app attacks are expected to increase during this year's Lunar New Year holiday period and has urged the public to exercise caution.
On January 23, IT security and authentication platform company RaonSecure (co-CEOs Lee Soonhyung and Lee Jeonga) announced that the number of malicious app prevention cases detected through its anti-phishing service, "Smart Anti-Phishing," has already surpassed the figures recorded in February last year-which included the Lunar New Year holiday-indicating a heightened need for vigilance against phishing attacks as the holiday approaches.
RaonSecure analyzed prevention data from "Smart Anti-Phishing" for the period from January 1 to January 15 of this year and found that phishing attempts using malicious apps have surged to more than 2.5 times the daily average compared to February last year. The company therefore expects a significant increase in attempts to induce malicious app installations during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.
Phishing attacks via malicious apps typically involve tricking users into clicking a URL sent through text messages or mobile messengers that impersonate acquaintances, delivery notifications, wedding invitations, card issuances, or mobile bills, resulting in the installation of malicious apps on their personal smartphones.
In particular, there is a growing need for caution due to the increasing number of incidents involving "Qshing," which has recently become a social issue. Qshing is a portmanteau of QR code and phishing, and refers to attacks where hackers create malicious QR codes that, when scanned, lead users to download and install malicious apps. This results in various damages, including theft of personal and financial information, remote control of mobile devices, and unauthorized small payments.
RaonSecure's "Smart Anti-Phishing" service collects data suspected of phishing from customers' smartphones and proactively detects and blocks threats such as smishing, malicious apps, and voice phishing. Integrated with partner financial institutions' FDS (Fraud Detection System), it helps prevent phishing scams and offers AI-based detection of smishing messages.
The service is also effective in preventing crimes caused by Qshing. If a user installs a malicious app on their smartphone by scanning a QR code, "Smart Anti-Phishing" can detect the threat and block the app within 2 to 3 seconds.
Park Jongmoon, Head of Service Business Division at RaonSecure, stated, "We urge everyone to be wary of attempts to impersonate acquaintances, family members, or delivery services that prompt you to scan QR codes or click URLs in messages. It is crucial to actively use anti-phishing services to prevent damage. RaonSecure will continue to contribute to the prevention of phishing crimes by further advancing the technology behind 'Smart Anti-Phishing.'"
Meanwhile, RaonSecure's "Smart Anti-Phishing" can be easily subscribed to as a value-added service through the three major mobile carriers and MVNOs, allowing users to access phishing scam prevention and blocking services conveniently.
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