Cyber Security is a rapidly changing field; new threats appear nearly daily, each more cunning and clever than the previous. Among these, “Smishing” has emerged as one of the more sneaky types of attacks, combining the ease of mobile communication with cyber criminals’ evil intentions.
Smishing combines the words ‘SMS’ and ‘phishing,’ which leverage people’s trust in text messages to get their targets to reveal some information or install a virus in their cell phones.
As people continue to adopt cell phones for both personal and commercial use, it becomes necessary to understand the measures that must be taken to protect digital security and learn what Smishing is and how to avoid it. In the article below, the author discusses Smishing, its possibility of causing certain effects, and measures that can be taken to safeguard data as the world becomes interconnected.
Examples of phishing include short message service (SMS), where fake information is sent through text messaging to compel the victim to surrender other sensitive details like passwords, credit card numbers, and user names.
They write such messages in such a way that they convey the sender is from legitimate registered institutions such as banks, government sectors, or any reputable service industries, thereby making it hard for the recipients to notice the unfair act.
Unlike email phishing, which was used in the 1990s, Smishing is a newer method. The increased global use of cell phones has grown the use of text messaging as a communication tool. Sadly, this means that a possibly higher percentage of the population is at risk of falling prey to Smishing.
Smishing attacks usually take a familiar route of deceit. Here’s how they typically unfold.
With the help of phishing, the cybercriminal comes up with a text message that may look essential or urgent. This mail may look like it was sent by a courier company telling you they attempted to deliver a package, or it could be your bank informing you that suspicious transactions were made on your account. More often than not, in addition to the phone number or link, there’s a call to some action now.
If you click the link or dial the number provided, you will be led to a fake website or phone service that aims to extract your details. Even an IT professional will fall for this trick because the fake site may look almost identical to a legitimate site.
Once an attacker gets your information, he can use it for several heinous things, as noted below. This can range from selling your data on the black market to identity theft to cleaning your bank.
To make it more difficult for you to recognize that you’ve been tricked, sophisticated Smishing campaigns may even erase the text message from your phone after you read it or visit the link.
There are several reasons why Smishing has become a preferred method for cybercriminals.
Text messages usually have a far greater open rate than emails, which can get buried in congested inboxes. Text messaging is a powerful tool for phishing because most recipients read their messages within minutes of receiving them.
Although consumers are now more wary of phishing emails, fewer are aware of the dangers of text messaging. Because of this lack of awareness, cybercriminals find text messaging appealing.
Smishing is a somewhat simple and inexpensive attack to launch. You only need a list of phone numbers and bulk SMS service access. Spam filters and antivirus software, which are more popular barriers against email-based attacks, are not a concern for the attacker.
Because the devices have limited screen space, customers may skip tiny signs to indicate that a website or message is fake. Also, people use their phones more and more, and they quickly switch from one application to another, which makes the process of receiving and clicking on the link risky and reckless at the same time.
Smishing attacks with varying levels of sophistication have targeted individuals all over the globe. The UK’s Bank of England’s high-yield investment lure is another such example. One of the hoaxes said that they could text everyone in their address book, to tell them that they were going to get a refund for their taxes by text. They simply had to click on a link.
Of course, the link led the users to a fake website that aims to gather personal information, accurately known as phishing.
A further instance of this type of fraud is the “Package Delivery” scam, in which victims are notified via text message that their shipment cannot be delivered. They are asked to postpone the delivery by clicking a link. As expected, clicking the link takes users to a fake website where they are prompted to provide personal information or pay a false invoice.
This means that Smishing can be prevented by paying attention to details and being observant of one’s surroundings. Here are some tips that more people should follow effectively to protect themselves.
Always be careful should you receive a text message asking you to provide your personal details from a known organization or an unknown number. To ensure that it is indeed a request, contact the company with a working phone number or website.
Conventional text messaging only recommends ignoring links, especially when the message is from an unknown person. However, type the link into the browser to take you to the website now.
Use mobile security software capable of identifying and thwarting harmful text message links. Additionally, several antivirus apps include capabilities made expressly to guard against smishing.
To report a received spoofed text message that failed credibility check, inform your mobile service provider or the spoofing group. Many telecom providers have provided dedicated phone numbers to report phishing and spam SMS cases.
You can better protect yourself against Smishing if you understand the strategy better. Kindly share this information with your friends, relatives, and colleagues so that they can also help themselves.
If possible, enable 2FA for your online accounts. In case hackers get your logins, as it is an unlikely situation, this adds an extra layer of security, making it difficult for the hackers to get into your accounts.
As criminals become smarter in their techniques, one must learn about new threats such as Smishing. While attackers’ methods may change, the core principles of social engineering remain the same: how they deceive human trust and emerge to implement their goals.
Knowing what Smishing is and taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself will enable you to stay one step ahead of hackers. In the online environment, knowledge is the primary protection you have. Thus, the next time you get an unexpected SMS message, consider your options before clicking—a brief delay could be all that’s needed to stop a Smishing attempt.
Also Read: Trendzguruji.me Cyber Security Awareness