Hackers Leverage GDPR to Target Airbnb Customers
A new phishing scam capitalizes on the upcoming General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to trick Airbnb customers into sharing personal and financial data, Redscan reports. The scale of the campaign is unknown, though it likely targets email addresses taken from the open Web.
Targets receive an email designed to appear as though it’s from Airbnb, addressing them as a host of the service. The message says hosts can’t accept new bookings or contact potential gusts until they accept a new privacy policy. If they click the malicious link, targets are prompted to enter personal information including payment card details and account data. Everything they enter goes to the attackers.
It’s worth noting Airbnb is sending emails to alert users about GDPR-related changes; however, the legitimate notifications include more detail and none ask for users’ credentials.
The European Union’s new privacy laws, designed to grant people more control over the information they share online, goes into effect on May 25. In the weeks leading up to its rollout, companies are sending messages to gain users’ consent for staying on their mailing lists — and hackers are taking advantage of the trend. Read more details about this campaign here.
Dark Reading’s Quick Hits delivers a brief synopsis and summary of the significance of breaking news events. For more information from the original source of the news item, please follow the link provided in this article. View Full Bio