DR. Gift Machengete, the Director-General of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) is alerting the public of phishing scams that are on the rise mainly via e-mails and SMS.
Phishing emails usually come with attachments that contain viruses and once one opens the attachment the virus becomes active and infects the user device.
“The phishing SMSs come with short messages enticing recipients to click on and follow a hyperlink provided in the message. Once one follows the link their user device gets infected with malicious software that can be used to phish (steal) user credentials and passwords contained in the device. Resultantly, users end up at high risk of having important information like usernames and passwords, bank details and PIN codes, or private and confidential information stolen.
“We, therefore, wish to urge members of the public to be on the lookout for phishing emails and SMS. Any suspicious SMSs and or emails should be reported to competent IT personnel or to the Service Providers before opening or following suspicious attachments or links as the case may be. Users should have their antivirus software regularly updated and should not open anything that has been flagged by the antivirus. Most importantly, DO NOT give anyone your Security PIN under any circumstances, even if they purport to be from your Bank or Mobile Network Provider,” Dr. Machengete said.
