Emojis are an inalienable part of our daily life. They’re the digital world’s version of body language, helping us say so much more with so little. But they’re not always as innocuous. In the Internet’s dark alleys, these tiny symbols are used for more sinister purposes. Criminals are now using a range of emojis – from laughing-crying face to the heart – as code messages in online communications about crimes like cyberattacks, frauds, and drug & human trafficking, India Today’s Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) team found during monitoring of dark web and communication platforms. So how do emojis help criminals? By helping them avoid the necessity to use text in order to convey their messages.Picture those Bollywood movies where masked criminals use code words or secret handshake to identify themselves before the intended person without raising suspicion. Consider emojis as code words of the digital realm. They help criminals avoid sophisticated government systems that might scan the Internet or monitor communications to pick up clues. Many dark web markets use emojis to hide drug names, while various anonymous chat platforms employ emojis as codes for selling drugs and sharing methods of drug production. For example, in a recent case, the Pune Police uncovered a drug trafficking ring where traffickers used emojis to represent various drugs, quantities, and even prices. This tactic allowed them to exchange information without raising any red flags.In a report, US-based darknet monitoring firm Dark Owl said emojis were increasingly used to obscure malicious content and evade detection. Phishing scams have also employed emojis to disguise deceptive links. A link might seem friendly, with a smiley face or a wink, but clicking on it could lead to a fake website ready to steal your personal details. There’s even a new malware called “Disgomoji,” which uses emojis as a means of communication. As per US cybersecurity firm Volexity, Disgomoji is believed to be operated by a group based in Pakistan. This malware is specifically designed to target Indian government entities that use a custom Linux operating system. Disgomoji spreads through phishing emails, tricking recipients into opening a document that launches the malware. Once inside, the malware uses Discord, a popular chat platform, to communicate with its operators, sending commands through emojis. These tiny symbols tell the malware to take screenshots, upload files, or steal sensitive information, all while staying undetected.The misuse of emojis doesn’t stop there. Romance scammers also use emojis to create a false sense of intimacy with their victims. They might send a heart or a kissy face, building up trust and making the relationship feel real. But behind these affectionate symbols is a scammer aiming to manipulate and extort money from their target.Criminals seem to have chosen emojis for their popularity and appeal. A report from Adobe’s Future of Creativity 2022 says one in three Gen Zs has ended a relationship with a single emoji. Emojis also have a significant role in marketing—emails with emojis in the subject line see open rates spike by 56 per cent, and overall engagement by 44 per cent.Published By: Vivek Published On: Oct 16, 2024
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