Smishing is a type of phishing attack that uses SMS (text messages) to trick people into giving away personal information. The term is a combination of “SMS” and “phishing.”
How Does Smishing Work?
Here’s the lowdown on how smishing works:
You receive a text message that looks like it’s from a trusted source, such as your bank or a well-known company [THE BAIT]. The message often contains a sense of urgency, like a warning about suspicious activity on your account [THE HOOK]. The message includes a link or phone number, urging you to click or call to resolve the issue [THE TRAP].
Some common smishing tactics include:
- Urgent Alerts: Messages claiming your account is compromised.
- Prize Notifications: Texts saying you’ve won something and need to claim it.
- Verification Requests: Asking for personal details to verify your identity.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
Below are a few ways that you can protect yourself from smishing attacks:
- Be Skeptical: If something seems off, it probably is. Verify the sender before taking action. Google it, but DON’T CLICK ANYTHING and DON’T RESPOND!
- Don’t Click Links: Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages. Clicking a link can set of a charge of threats to you like viruses and stolen information.
- Contact the Company Directly: Use official contact information to verify any claims. Go to the website of the company they are claiming to be and use direct contact information methods (phone, email) to verify the legitimacy of the claim.
Oops, you accidentally fell victim to smishing. Now what?
What can you do to protect yourself and your data and identity in the event you fall victim to one of these schemes?
- Report It Immediately! Inform your bank and/or the company involved.
- Change Passwords: Update your passwords immediately.
- Monitor Accounts: Keep an eye on your financial statements for unusual activity.
Smishing is a growing (and annoying) threat, but by staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these scams.
To learn more about smishing and other cyberthreats, reach out to us for a no obligation consultation or call 888-500-9111. We can provide penetration testing and vulnerability scanning to your business network to help you determine where the weaknesses are and help you make a plan to patch them. Ready to partner with a managed services provider for all your IT needs? Contact our sibling company, Atlantic Technology Services, at atlantictechs.com or 410-860-9899. You can also click here to schedule a consultation.
