[Edaily Reporter An Yu-ri ] LG Uplus(032640)is stepping up its monitoring of voice phishing and smishing around the Chuseok holiday. The company uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify the control servers of malicious applications (apps) and shares the relevant information with the police.

LG Uplus announced on the 13th that it will operate a 24-hour special response system through the end of this month, utilizing its AI-based “Customer Damage Prevention Analysis System (Secure.AI+)” to track suspicious app servers and block access to them.

This system uses AI to comprehensively analyze data collected both internally and externally. The company explained that it is the only telecommunications provider in South Korea tracking the control servers of malicious apps used by voice phishing organizations.

When an infection is detected, the company forwards the information to a hotline connected to the police. It also plans to take immediate action if the police request that a server be blocked. If records of communication with such a server are detected on a customer’s device, the company sends a KakaoTalk Alert message to notify the user of the risk. Users who receive this notification can seek assistance at a police station or a LG Uplus store.

During the holiday season, text messages and phone calls impersonating delivery companies to ask for gift delivery addresses are frequently exploited. The company explained that there has also been a recent increase in cases where users are urged to invest through illegal investment sites or unofficial trading apps, which then lead them to install malicious apps.

A cell phone infected with a malicious app can become a so-called “zombie phone” under the remote control of a criminal organization. Attackers can block or intercept incoming calls and disguise the caller ID of their own outgoing calls to appear as 112 (the police emergency number) or 1301 (the prosecutor’s office number).

LG Uplus urged users not to click on web links in text messages from unverified sources. If someone claiming to be from a customer service center or public institution requests that you install an app, you should end the call immediately. If you suspect your device has been infected, report it using another phone to the National Police Agency’s Integrated Reporting and Response Center for Telecommunications and Financial Fraud at 1394.

Meanwhile, LG Uplus was recognized for its campaign efforts to prevent voice phishing last month and received the “Social Value Brand” award at the “EPI Awards Korea.” LG Uplus plans to continue its efforts to strengthen technologies and services aimed at preventing voice phishing-related losses.

Hong Kwan-hee, Head of the LG Uplus Information Security Center (CISO, Executive Vice President), stated, “LG Uplus will operate a 24-hour monitoring system before and after the Chuseok holiday and do its utmost to prevent customer harm.” He added, “Customers who receive a ‘Alert Talk’ notification about a malicious app are advised to immediately visit the nearest police station or LG Uplus store to take the necessary measures.”