Same story with a different twist on it each time. We have been seeing a lot of use of the email “(Name) has invited you to view files ” filename” on Dropbox or OneDrive. This leads to you signing into programs, but you don’t know who this person is that invited you and because you signed in you fell into a trap. This is part of a growing trend in phishing and social engineering attacks, where scammers use familiar, trusted platforms like Dropbox to deceive users into taking action, usually by clicking on a malicious link or signing into a fake platform. The core idea behind this type of scam is creating a sense of urgency or curiosity, leading the target to open a link or email attachment without thinking twice.
The typical email might look like this:
“(Name) has invited you to view files: (filename) on Dropbox”
It’s a simple, seemingly harmless message, but its purpose is to trick you into clicking a link or taking action. Here’s a closer look at how these scams work and how they can affect users:
1. The Email Tactic:
The message might appear personal, as though someone you know is trying to share files with you. The familiarity of Dropbox—an established file-sharing service—adds credibility, making the message more convincing. It might even include the name of someone you’ve interacted with before, or the name of a colleague, friend, or contact that’s been “spoofed.” This creates a sense of urgency, especially if you feel like you are expecting a file or project.
2. The Malicious Link:
The email usually contains a link, which leads you to a page that may look like Dropbox’s login page. However, it is a fake page designed to harvest your login credentials. If you enter your username and password, the attackers now have access to your real account. Alternatively, the link might lead to a page where you’re asked to download a file that contains malware, which could infect your device or steal your data.
3. No Files and Unknown Senders:
When you follow the link, you might find that there are no files, or the files listed don’t belong to you, and you don’t recognize the sender. This is a red flag—many people feel uneasy when they realize they’ve been tricked into clicking something, but by then, they may have already exposed themselves to threats.
4. Why It Works:
These types of scams are so effective because they play on two psychological triggers:
- Trust: Dropbox and OneDrive are widely used and trusted for file sharing, so a message claiming to be from the platform is more likely to be taken seriously.
- Curiosity: The subject line is designed to tap into curiosity—“What file did they send me?”—prompting the user to click the link. If you were expecting something, or if it seems to come from a trusted contact, you’re less likely to question the legitimacy of the message.
5. Impact:
Once the scammer has your credentials, they can use them to access your Dropbox account, your other accounts (if they’re linked), and possibly even send similar phishing emails to people in your contact list. If you downloaded malware, the attacker may have infected your device and gained access to sensitive personal information.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Be Skeptical of Unexpected Emails: Even if the email seems to come from a known source, double-check. If you weren’t expecting a file, don’t click on the link.
- Check the URL: Before logging into anything, always verify the URL. Make sure it’s Dropbox’s official website (https://www.dropbox.com) and not a URL that’s off by one letter or has unusual characters.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security. Even if someone gets your password, they won’t be able to log in without the second authentication factor.
- Look for Red Flags: Unfamiliar sender names, poor grammar, or weird file names can indicate something is wrong.
- Use Antivirus Software: Ensure you have good antivirus software running to catch any malware before it spreads.
- Report Suspicious Emails: If you receive an email like this, report it to your email provider or the legitimate service it’s pretending to be from (like Dropbox) to help prevent others from falling victim.
While these tactics are common, they evolve quickly, and scammers often refine their methods to make these emails seem even more legitimate. Always stay cautious, and when in doubt, contact the person who supposedly sent the invitation through another channel (like phone or message) to verify if it’s truly them.
