GUWAHATI, Dec 4 - The mysterious calls received by people in the city on Saturday from unknown numbers could be linked to scammers and hackers and IT experts are unanimous that they were malicious in nature.
Scores of people in Guwahati yesterday received calls from peculiar numbers, triggering a confusion in the capital city. Most of the numbers had the prefix +915. They were followed by three small alphabetical letters - like �+915cbc�. While in most cases the calls were not complete and were missed calls, and if any one did receive the calls, there was no voice at the other end.
�They are most likely to be voice over internet protocol (VOIP) calls � calls made through internet protocol networks. It is very easy to conceal one�s identity while making such calls. It is the caller who chooses what number he wishes to be displayed in the phone of the receiver,� says Firoze Hussain, who has been working on internet security.
He insisted that service providers should investigate from where the calls originated. Only a server investigation can reveal from where the calls were made, he said.
IT entrepreneur Arindam Bora, who also received one such call yesterday, said besides using different servers, such calls can also be made through other modes of communication like satellite phones, disc phones etc., and the caller can easily hide his identity.
�One can also make such calls through multi-layer service providers, like those existing along the international borders. Even I couldn�t detect the number as it was not registered in the call history. But surely, the aim of the calls was not good...such calls ought to be destructive in nature,� he added.
Cyber attacks have emerged as a dangerous threat of late to personal data security. �When you respond to such calls, the caller can use technology to encrypt the data in your phone, including SMS, gallery, call records or any other data stored in the phone. The primary target till date is bank account data. Although telephone companies are working against these hacks, every day now software/hardware is being launched which is making it easier for hackers to ruin the servers of the telephone companies,� said another IT expert working with a central security agency.
�One should avoid storing personal data in the phones, not respond to such calls from mysterious numbers, particularly international and keep the mobile data off when not in use. One should also use unique security codes to access one phone. One more important aspect is that we usually keep the auto media download option on in the setting which helps scammers to send videos which may contain Trojans or any other spy tools through which the phone can be hacked,� he added.
Scammers also set up automatic dialers that call several random numbers � may be one particular location in a day. The call is set to ring once or twice. �At least one of 100 people will call back. When the victim calls back, they get connected to paid international hotlines and he might end up being charged a hefty bill for the call. The entire amount or a percentage of the �loot� is pocketed by the scammers,� said another cyber crime expert.
