LastPass Warns of Fake Support Centers Trying to Steal Customer Data
Summary:
LastPass, a popular password manager software, is currently facing an ongoing phishing campaign targeting its users. Cybercriminals are writing fake reviews on the Chrome Web Store for the LastPass extension, promoting a fraudulent customer support phone number: 805-206-2892. Threat actors are attempting to target a large swath of the company's user base by leaving 5-star reviews with this fake LastPass customer support number, urging users to contact it to resolve any app issues. The 5-star rating is a tactic utilized to increase the visibility of the scam. They also use common social engineering tactics like phrases in the review that create a sense of urgency in the victim e.g. “For instant help,” and “24/7 assistance”. When potential victims contact the number, the threat actor impersonates LastPass, and victims are tricked into visiting a malicious domain, ‘dghelp[.]top', and then into downloading signed Connectwise ScreenConnect software [VirusTotal] by entering a code on the page. The attacker will also use the fake support call to gather system information about the victim’s machine and keep the user engaged while another threat actor installs additional unwanted programs for persistence, remote code execution, and information theft. The phone number associated with the fake LastPass support center is found to be linked to a much larger campaign. BleepingComputer has reported finding 805-206-2892 in other support scams for companies like Amazon, Facebook, and Verizon. The fake support number is also being posted in company forums and subreddits. The content has been consistently identical regarding all LastPass fraudulent reviews but utilizes different lures for other companies’ apps.
Security Officer Comments:
This incident highlights the increasing prevalence of vishing attacks that attempt to increase their lures' success by increasing their scope. This fake support number seems to be a part of a large-scale phishing campaign but the entirety of its scope is yet to be determined. It's crucial to remain vigilant and exercise caution when interacting with unsolicited communications, especially those claiming to be from reputable companies. Users should always verify the authenticity of support channels and avoid sharing sensitive information over the phone or through unsolicited links by visiting company websites directly when searching for support. Additionally, keeping software and operating systems up-to-date with the latest security patches from verified sources is helpful when trying to mitigate potential threats. The success of these attacks hinges on the attacker’s ability to convince the victim to input the code which downloads the remote access program, however even cybersecurity professionals could be tricked by tactics like these.
Suggested Corrections:
Users should always be cautious of individuals or organizations that ask for personal information. Most companies will not ask for sensitive data from its customers. If in doubt, users should verify with the company itself to avoid any potential issues.
Users should always take a close look at the sender’s display name when checking the legitimacy of an email. Most companies use a single domain for their URLs and emails, so a message that originates from a different domain is a red flag.
As a general rule, users should not click links or download files even if they come from seemingly “trustworthy” sources.
Check for mismatched URLs. While an embedded URL might seem perfectly valid, hovering above it might show a different web address. In fact, users should avoid clicking links in emails unless they are certain that it is a legitimate link.
Users should always be on the lookout for any grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Legitimate companies will often employ proofreaders and editors who ensure that the materials they send out are error-free.
Users should not be frightened or intimidated by messages that have an alarmist tone. They should double-check with the company if they are uncertain about the status of their accounts.
Phishing emails are designed to be sent to a large number of people, so they need to be as impersonal as possible. Users should check whether the message contains a generic subject and greeting, as this can be a sign of a phishing attempt.
Although not every end user has access to advanced anti-phishing software, they can still use the built-in protection of their email clients to filter messages. One example is setting the email client to block all images unless approved.
Legitimate companies will never send confirmation emails unless there are specific reasons for doing so. In fact, most companies will avoid sending unsolicited messages unless it’s for company updates, newsletters, or advertising purposes.
Users should always take the context of an email or message into account. For example, most online accounts do away with viewable member numbers, so users should be wary if they receive emails containing a “member number” for services that generally don’t use them.
It is important to take note of unusual information in the text of the message. Any mentions of operating systems and software that are not typically used by consumers can often be indicators of a phishing attempt.
If it seems suspicious, it probably is. Users should always err on the side of caution when it comes to sending out personally identifiable information through messages and emails.
Link(s):
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/lastpass-warns-of-fake-support-centers-trying-to-steal-customer-data/
https://blog.lastpass.com/posts/fake-web-store-reviews-attempting-to-steal-customer-data
LastPass, a popular password manager software, is currently facing an ongoing phishing campaign targeting its users. Cybercriminals are writing fake reviews on the Chrome Web Store for the LastPass extension, promoting a fraudulent customer support phone number: 805-206-2892. Threat actors are attempting to target a large swath of the company's user base by leaving 5-star reviews with this fake LastPass customer support number, urging users to contact it to resolve any app issues. The 5-star rating is a tactic utilized to increase the visibility of the scam. They also use common social engineering tactics like phrases in the review that create a sense of urgency in the victim e.g. “For instant help,” and “24/7 assistance”. When potential victims contact the number, the threat actor impersonates LastPass, and victims are tricked into visiting a malicious domain, ‘dghelp[.]top', and then into downloading signed Connectwise ScreenConnect software [VirusTotal] by entering a code on the page. The attacker will also use the fake support call to gather system information about the victim’s machine and keep the user engaged while another threat actor installs additional unwanted programs for persistence, remote code execution, and information theft. The phone number associated with the fake LastPass support center is found to be linked to a much larger campaign. BleepingComputer has reported finding 805-206-2892 in other support scams for companies like Amazon, Facebook, and Verizon. The fake support number is also being posted in company forums and subreddits. The content has been consistently identical regarding all LastPass fraudulent reviews but utilizes different lures for other companies’ apps.
Security Officer Comments:
This incident highlights the increasing prevalence of vishing attacks that attempt to increase their lures' success by increasing their scope. This fake support number seems to be a part of a large-scale phishing campaign but the entirety of its scope is yet to be determined. It's crucial to remain vigilant and exercise caution when interacting with unsolicited communications, especially those claiming to be from reputable companies. Users should always verify the authenticity of support channels and avoid sharing sensitive information over the phone or through unsolicited links by visiting company websites directly when searching for support. Additionally, keeping software and operating systems up-to-date with the latest security patches from verified sources is helpful when trying to mitigate potential threats. The success of these attacks hinges on the attacker’s ability to convince the victim to input the code which downloads the remote access program, however even cybersecurity professionals could be tricked by tactics like these.
Suggested Corrections:
Users should always be cautious of individuals or organizations that ask for personal information. Most companies will not ask for sensitive data from its customers. If in doubt, users should verify with the company itself to avoid any potential issues.
Users should always take a close look at the sender’s display name when checking the legitimacy of an email. Most companies use a single domain for their URLs and emails, so a message that originates from a different domain is a red flag.
As a general rule, users should not click links or download files even if they come from seemingly “trustworthy” sources.
Check for mismatched URLs. While an embedded URL might seem perfectly valid, hovering above it might show a different web address. In fact, users should avoid clicking links in emails unless they are certain that it is a legitimate link.
Users should always be on the lookout for any grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Legitimate companies will often employ proofreaders and editors who ensure that the materials they send out are error-free.
Users should not be frightened or intimidated by messages that have an alarmist tone. They should double-check with the company if they are uncertain about the status of their accounts.
Phishing emails are designed to be sent to a large number of people, so they need to be as impersonal as possible. Users should check whether the message contains a generic subject and greeting, as this can be a sign of a phishing attempt.
Although not every end user has access to advanced anti-phishing software, they can still use the built-in protection of their email clients to filter messages. One example is setting the email client to block all images unless approved.
Legitimate companies will never send confirmation emails unless there are specific reasons for doing so. In fact, most companies will avoid sending unsolicited messages unless it’s for company updates, newsletters, or advertising purposes.
Users should always take the context of an email or message into account. For example, most online accounts do away with viewable member numbers, so users should be wary if they receive emails containing a “member number” for services that generally don’t use them.
It is important to take note of unusual information in the text of the message. Any mentions of operating systems and software that are not typically used by consumers can often be indicators of a phishing attempt.
If it seems suspicious, it probably is. Users should always err on the side of caution when it comes to sending out personally identifiable information through messages and emails.
Link(s):
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/lastpass-warns-of-fake-support-centers-trying-to-steal-customer-data/
https://blog.lastpass.com/posts/fake-web-store-reviews-attempting-to-steal-customer-data