Your team finally tightened email security. Then the “IT helpdesk” calls start. Someone sounds calm, competent, and in a hurry. They “just need” an MFA code, a password reset, or a quick screen-share to fix an urgent access issue.

That’s voice phishing, and it’s becoming one of the most effective ways to bypass modern defenses because it targets the human layer, not the firewall.

In early 2026, security reporting highlighted waves of vishing attacks tied to credential theft and SSO account compromise, including campaigns attributed to ShinyHunters that revolve around calling employees and manipulating authentication flows. 

Quick Take: Voice Phishing in 60 Seconds

Voice phishing (aka vishing) is phishing conducted over phone/VoIP/voice channels -  often impersonating IT support, a vendor, or an executive to pressure someone into handing over access.

Why it’s rising:

• Cloud identity is a single choke point (SSO + MFA)
  
  
• Collaboration tools make “calls from strangers” feel normal
  

Attackers can synchronize calls with fake login pages and MFA prompts

Best defenses:

• Strong identity verification + call-back procedures
  
  
• Phishing-resistant MFA (passkeys/FIDO2)
  
  
• Training + simulations that include voice scenarios

What Is Voice Phishing (and What Does Vishing Stand For)?

If you’re searching “what is voice phishing” or “what is vishing in cyber security”, here’s the simplest definition:

• Voice phishing is a social engineering attack where a scammer uses voice (phone calls, VoIP, voice messages) to trick someone into revealing sensitive information or taking an action that gives the attacker access.
  
  
• Vishing therefore stands for “voice phishing.” 
  
  

Unlike email phishing, the weapon is conversation: urgency, authority, empathy, intimidation - whatever gets a person to comply.

Why Companies Have to Take Voice Phishing Seriously Now

Voice phishing isn’t really “new,” but the environment has changed in recent years.

1) Identity is the new perimeter

SSO platforms and cloud suites mean one compromised login can open a lot of doors. Recent reporting describes attackers using voice calls to steal SSO credentials and coerce MFA approvals to access SaaS environments.

2) Real-time “guided phishing” is making vishing more successful

Some campaigns combine a phone call with a fake login page that updates in real time based on what the victim sees so the attacker can coach them through each step (including MFA prompts) in sync with the call.

3) Anti-phishing investments skew toward email

Many organizations have excellent email filtering, banners, and playbooks—but fewer have:

• a helpdesk call verification process,
  
  
• policies for unsolicited security calls, or
  
  
• training that prepares staff for voice pressure tactics.
  
  

CISA’s broader phishing guidance emphasizes breaking the attack cycle early and strengthening user + organizational defenses; not just technical filtering.

What Are the Common Attributes of a Voice Phishing Attack?

If you want a quick “spot the pattern” list, these are the most common attributes:

• Authority: “This is IT / Microsoft / your bank / your vendor.”
  
  
• Urgency: “We need this in the next 2 minutes.” (Attackers want speed.)
  
  
• A reason to bypass process: “I can’t use the normal ticket system right now.”
  
  
• A request that escalates access: MFA code, password reset, device enrollment, new phone number, remote tool install.
  
  
• Channel switching: call → Teams/Slack message → email → fake login page.
  
  
• “Verification” traps: “Read me the code you just received,” “Approve the push,” “Confirm your identity.”
  
  

If it feels like a script designed to keep you moving, it probably is!

Where Voice Phishing Fits Into Cybersecurity and Why It Works

A quick aside for the broader keyword “what is cyber security”: cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from attacks and unauthorized access.

Voice phishing is a threat because it targets the decision-making layer—the human who can override controls, share secrets, or grant access. That’s why even strong tools can fail if a policy or habit says “be helpful quickly.”

The goal of the call is almost never “conversation.” It’s usually one of these outcomes:

• Credential capture (username/password)
  
  
• MFA bypass (approval or code)
  
  
• Account recovery takeover (reset flows)
  
  
• Remote access (screen share tools)
  
  
• Sensitive data disclosure (payroll, invoices, customer data)

Anatomy of a Modern Vishing Attack (Step-by-Step)

Here’s how a typical voice phishing chain looks in the real world:

1. Recon: attacker finds employee info (role, org chart hints, tools used).
   
   
2. Pretext: “Hi. This is IT security. We detected suspicious login attempts.”
   
   
3. Pressure: “If we don’t fix this now, your access will be locked.”
   
   
4. Action request: “Go to this link,” “Read the code,” “Approve the MFA prompt.”
   
   
5. Pivot: attacker uses captured credentials to access SSO/SaaS, often escalating quickly.
   
   

The key is that it feels like solving a problem because the attacker is actively coaching the victim through “fixing” it.

Mini Scenario: What It Looks Like and the Best Response

The call:
“Hey, this is Mike from IT. We’re seeing a risky sign-in to your account and I need to verify you so I can revoke the session. You’ll get an MFA code—read it to me.”

What the employee does (bad path):

• reads the code,
  
  
• approves the push,
  
  
• the attacker logs in and enrolls a new authenticator.
  

What the employee does (good path):

1. Says: “I can’t do MFA verification over the phone.”
   
   
2. Hangs up and uses a call-back procedure: looks up the official IT number (not the number that called), opens a ticket, and calls IT directly.
   
   
3. Reports the attempt immediately.
   
   

That “slow down and verify” move is exactly what vishing guidance recommends since attackers rely on speed and emotion.

How to Prevent Voice Phishing: Practical Controls That Work

If you’re a CISO/IT leader building a TOFU-friendly checklist, prevention should be layered:

People: Train for voice pressure (not just email)

• Run awareness training that includes phone/VoIP/Teams call scenarios.
  
  
• Teach a single rule: No codes, no approvals, no installs during unsolicited calls.
  
  
• Make reporting frictionless (“Report suspected vishing” button or quick workflow).
  

Process: Add verification muscle memory

• Call-back policy: Employees must initiate the return call using a trusted directory.
  
  
• Helpdesk identity checks: require ticket numbers, known internal identifiers, or verified callbacks.
  

Limit who can approve sensitive requests (new MFA device enrollment, payroll changes, wire approvals).

Technology: Make the “right choice” the easy choice

• Deploy phishing-resistant MFA (passkeys/FIDO2/WebAuthn), especially for admins and high-risk roles.
  
  
• Harden MFA reset/account recovery flows (verification, approvals, logging).
  
  
• Use conditional access / device compliance where possible.
  
  
• Alert on suspicious identity events (new device, impossible travel, abnormal token use).
  
  

Microsoft and CISA both emphasize strengthening authentication and phishing resistance as part of modern identity defense.

What Malware Is Always Used During Voice Phishing Attacks?

This is a common search and the answer is: none.

Voice phishing is primarily social engineering, so many attacks succeed without malware at all. When malware does show up, it’s usually because the caller convinces a victim to:

• install a remote access tool;
  
  
• run a “security update,”;
  
  
• or open a link that delivers a payload.
  
  

So instead of hunting for “the one vishing malware,” focus on the control points:

• block unauthorized installs;
  
  
• restrict remote support tooling;
  
  
• require verification for helpdesk requests;
  
  
• and improve MFA resilience.

If You Suspect a Voice Phishing Attempt: What to Do Immediately

1. Stop the interaction (don’t argue; end the call).
   
   
2. Verify through a trusted channel (call-back using official numbers).
   
   
3. Report internally (SOC/IT/security mailbox or workflow).
   
   
4. Check identity logs (SSO sign-ins, new MFA enrollments, password resets).
   
   
5. Reset and revoke as needed (password reset, session/token revocation, MFA reset with verification).
   
   
6. Document the pretext (caller claim, phone number, requested action, link/domain).
   
   

CISA’s phishing guidance is a useful reference for improving organizational response and breaking the cycle early.

Voice Phishing Prevention Checklist 

Use this as a starting point for your internal playbook:

• Document a call-back policy for IT/security requests
  
  
• Train staff: no MFA codes / no push approvals on unsolicited calls
  
  
• Require tickets + identity checks for resets, MFA enrollments, and access changes
  
  
• Roll out phishing-resistant MFA for privileged users (then expand)
  
  
• Monitor for suspicious sign-ins and MFA changes (alerts + review)
  
  
• Restrict remote support tools and software installs (least privilege)
  
  
• Review collaboration tool settings for external calls/messages where relevant
  
  
• Run vishing simulations (phone + “follow-the-link” coaching scenarios)
  
  
• Make reporting easy and reward early reporting
  
  
• Post a 1-page “What to do if someone calls you from IT” guide

Next Steps

Jericho Security focuses on AI-powered cybersecurity awareness training, including phishing simulations and an infinitely customizable, comprehensive training library to help teams recognize and respond to modern threats.

If you want to see how vishing-ready training and reporting can look in practice, explore Jericho’s next-gen security awareness training and simulation approach - especially for high-risk roles like IT, finance, and exec assistants.

FAQ 

Q1: What is voice phishing?
Voice phishing is a social engineering attack where scammers use phone/VoIP/voice channels to trick someone into revealing sensitive info or granting access.

Q2: What is vishing in cyber security?
In cybersecurity, vishing is voice phishing - phishing conducted through calls or voice messages to steal credentials, bypass MFA, or trigger harmful actions.

Q3: What does vishing stand for?
Vishing stands for “voice phishing.”

Q4: What are the common attributes of a voice phishing attack?
Authority impersonation, urgency, requests for MFA codes/approvals, channel switching, and pressure to bypass standard helpdesk or verification steps.

Q5: How to prevent voice phishing?
Use call-back procedures, train employees to refuse code/approval requests, harden helpdesk resets, and deploy phishing-resistant MFA for key accounts.

Q6: What malware is always used during voice phishing attacks?
None. Many vishing attacks involve no malware at all. When malware appears, it’s typically installed after the caller persuades the victim to run a tool or click a link.

Q7: Why is voice phishing increasing?
Attackers are targeting identity systems (SSO + MFA) and using real-time coaching with fake login flows to increase success rates.

Q8: Is voice phishing only phone calls?
No. Vishing can include VoIP calls, voice messages, and voice-based approaches inside collaboration tools, depending on what’s normal for your organization.