Spoofing is a term used to describe a cybercriminal who disguises themself as a trusted entity or device to trick people into doing something that will benefit them. There are many different ways that spoofing is used. A cybercriminal might alter the caller ID information to make it look like they’re calling from a legitimate source. They might spoof the number of a government agency, or a well-known company. They may also spoof an IP address to impersonate a device. Here are 10 different types of spoofing you should be on the lookout for:
1. Caller ID Spoofing
This is when someone changes the caller ID to show a different number than the one that’s actually calling. This can be done with a VoIP service or with special equipment that’s readily available for purchase online.
Caller ID spoofing is used for many reasons, both good and bad. Some people use it to protect their privacy, while others use it to commit fraud or send spam. Scammers us it to harass, prank or scam people. Unfortunately, most people use caller ID spoofing for nefarious purposes, which can have serious consequences.
There are a few steps you can take to protect yourself from caller ID spoofing. First, don’t answer calls from unfamiliar numbers. If you do answer, don’t give out any personal information. Hang up if the caller becomes hostile or if you suspect something is fishy. You can also block spoofed numbers and report them to the FCC.
2. Voice Spoofing
This is when the caller uses a voice changer to make their voice sound like someone else. Scammers use voice spoofing to imitate a person of authority, or to make it sound like they’re calling from a specific company or organization. This can be used to trick people into giving away personal information, or to gain access to restricted areas.
Voice spoofing is becoming more common as voice changers become more readily available. There are many software programs that allow anyone with a computer and a microphone to change their voice. There are also physical devices that can be bought online or in stores.
Some people use voice spoofing for harmless fun, other use it for more malicious purposes. It’s important to be aware of this type of scam, and to never give out personal information to someone you don’t know. If you’re ever unsure about a call, hang up and call the company or organization back using a number you know to be real.
3. Email Spoofing
This is when the sender changes their email address to make it look like they’re from a different person or organization. This is often used in phishing scams, where the attacker tries to get you to click on a link or open an attachment that contains malware.
Email spoofing is relatively easy to do and it’s hard to detect. Senders can use fake names and fake email addresses to make their messages look more convincing. They can also use forged headers to make it look like the email is coming from a different domain.
If you’re ever unsure about an email, you can contact the sender directly to verify its authenticity. You should also report any suspicious emails to your email provider so they can investigate and take action if necessary.
4. Domain Spoofing
Domain spoofing is when a malicious actor creates a fake website that looks identical to a legitimate website. Scammers us this to steal login credentials or personal information.
A common way to carry out a domain spoofing attack is to register a domain that is very similar to a legitimate domain. When users try to go to the legitimate website, they may accidentally go to the spoofed domain instead.
Another way attackers carry out domain spoofing is by using a technique called DNS cache poisoning. Attacker changes the DNS records of a server so that when users try to go to the legitimate website, it redirects them to the attacker’s fake website instead.
5. GPS Spoofing
This is when a cybercriminal maliciously redirects a GPS signal in order to fool a GPS receiver into thinking it’s in a different location. This can disrupt navigation systems or track the movements of a target.
GPS spoofing is a serious threat to the safety of navigation systems, and it’s likely that we’ll see more attacks in the future. In 2013, Iranian forces used GPS spoofing to redirect a US drone into Iranian territory. In 2017, researchers were able to use GPS spoofing to disrupt the navigation system of a yacht. And in 2018, a research team from the University of Texas successfully used GPS spoofing to take control of a car.
6. MAC Address Spoofing
This is when someone changes a MAC address to impersonate another device on a network. Cybercriminals use this to bypass security restrictions or gain unauthorized access to a network. MAC address spoofing can be done manually or through software.
One of the biggest dangers of MAC address spoofing is that cybercriminals se it to bypass security measures such as MAC filtering. MAC filtering is a security measure that only allows devices with specific MAC addresses to connect to a network. By spoofing their MAC address, an attacker can bypass this security measure and gain unauthorized access to the network. Cybercriminals also use MAC address spoofing for malicious purposes such as eavesdropping on network traffic or performing denial-of-service attacks.
7. IP Address Spoofing
This is when a cybercriminal changes an IP address to impersonate another device on a network. It is used to bypass security restrictions or to gain unauthorized access to a network.
By changing the source IP address, an attacker can make it appear as if the traffic is coming from a trusted device. They use this to launch attacks against other devices on the network or to intercept traffic meant for another device. Additionally, this can be used to bypass firewalls that are configured to allow traffic from specific IP addresses.
8. ARP Spoofing
ARP, also known ask Address Resolution Protocol, is a protocol that maps an IP address to a physical machine address. Computers us it to resolve IP addresses to MAC addresses. ARP spoofing occurs when an attacker sends false ARP messages in order to redirect traffic or disrupt communication on a network.
Attackers usually employ ARP spoofing in order to carry out a man-in-the-middle attack. In this type of attack, the attacker intercepts communication between two victims and can view, modify, or block the communication. Attackers also use ARP spoofing to distribute malware. For example, an attacker could use ARP spoofing to redirect traffic from a victim’s computer to a malicious server that contains malware. The victim would then unknowingly download and install the malware on their computer.
9. DNS Spoofing
DNS spoofing is a type of cyber attack that tricks a DNS server into believing that it has received a legitimate response when, in fact, it has not. This allows the attacker to redirect traffic meant for a specific website to another site, usually one under the attacker’s control.
DNS spoofing is often part of a larger attack, such as a phishing campaign or malware infection. It can launch attacks against specific servers or devices on a network. DNS spoofing is a serious security threat and can be difficult to detect and defend against.
10. SMS Spoofing
This is when the sender changes its number to make it look like they’re from a different person or organization. This is often used in phishing scams, where the attacker tries to get you to click on a link or open an attachment that contains malware.
Sometimes, the attacker will use a spoofed number to make it seem like they’re from your bank or another trusted organization. They may even use the same logo to make it look more convincing. If you get an SMS from a spoofed number, be very careful about clicking on any links or opening any attachments. You should only do this if you’re absolutely sure that it’s safe.
Conclusion
Spoofing is a serious problem, and it’s getting worse as the technology gets better. If you get a phone call from someone who you don’t know, be suspicious. Don’t give out any personal information, and hang up if they start asking for money. You can also report the number to the FCC so they can investigate it.
Find out how to recognize, report and recover on our spoofing and robocalls page.