We make use of cell phones to do almost everything we do today, be it checking up on our loved ones or shopping for new stuff. However, this comfort comes at a cost, for these smartphones, as smart as they claim to be, are vulnerable to a host of cyberattacks that can put our personal and professional details at risk. One such threat is smishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the unversed, smishing is when scammers make use of text messages to trick you into revealing sensitive information or making money transfers. They do so by using disposable numbers to send CTA messages, which, if acted upon, can give the attacker access to your personal information, financial accounts, or even your contact list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, there are various ways to guard yourself against smishing attacks. You can always verify the senders, review your accounts, make certain you never click on suspicious links, or enable endpoint security software or mobile security software<\/a> on your device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this blog, we will ponder the meaning of smishing and how it works to shed light on the sundry ways you can protect yourself from falling prey to it, one tactic at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The meaning of smishing is derived from the amalgam of terms like SMS and phishing<\/a>. Accordingly, smishing is a type of phishing attack where an attacker, with help from text messages or messaging apps, tricks people into disclosing sensitive details, downloading malware, or transferring money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contrary to traditional email-based phishing, smishing takes advantage of the trust and urgency people ascribe to text messages. The attackers often impersonate brands or trusted authorities to make their messages look genuine and evade detection. With smartphones used in huge numbers across the globe, smishing attacks are a real threat to all, both businesses and individuals alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smishing attacks typically follow this pattern\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smishing attacks are carried out in various ways, depending on the emotions and situations involved, so everything can be taken advantage of in one way or another. Some of their most common types are listed below for your convenience and understanding\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Account Verification Scams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For account verification scams, attackers act as trusted businesses like banks, email providers, or online services and send warning messages for unauthorized activity, asking you to verify your account. These messages inculcate a link that, if clicked, takes you to a fake website programmed to steal your credentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Prize or Lottery Scams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n These scams include texts that claim you have won a prize or lottery and ask you to fill out your personal details, pay a small fee, or click a link to claim it. Those who respond to such texts get their money or private data stolen almost instantaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Tech Support Scams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For tech support scams, as the name suggests, attackers tend to impersonate support teams and warn smartphone users of a virus or problem with their device or account. To resolve the same, they ask you to give a call on a number or install an app, which, if done, gives them remote access to your device or installs malware into your system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Bank Fraud Alerts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For bank frauds, attackers pose as your bank to warn you about unauthorized transactions or suspicious activity. You are then required to click a link or call a number, both of which are controlled by the attackers, to verify your transactions. Those who comply lose their login details, compromising their accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Tax Scams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n These scams take place during the tax season. To successfully carry them out, scammers impersonate tax agencies, promising refunds or threatening penalties for unpaid taxes. To avail\/evade, people are asked to provide their personal or financial details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Service Cancellation Scams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As the name implies, these scams work by warning users of a subscription or service cancellation owing to payment issues. They are urged to click a link to resolve the issue, which leads them to a phishing page, where, if they end up entering their payment details, their financial data gets exposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Malicious App Downloads<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n These include random promotional messages that ask you to download a useful or entertaining app. As soon as you click the link, malware gets installed in your system, leading to data theft. It can also be used to spy on you or lock your files for ransom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. Gift Smishing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n These smishing scams include fake promises of free services or products made on the part of the attackers under the guise of famous retailers. Since we, as humans, tend to fall for free stuff, it acts on our sense of excitement and urgency, making us reveal sensitive info.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. Invoice or Order Confirmation Smishing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Smartphone users often receive false purchase confirmations or billing invoices that ask them to review or cancel their order. When acted upon, mostly due to fear of being charged unnecessarily, these take them to a phishing site, causing monetary harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10. Emergency Scams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Emergency scams take advantage of the fear and urgency with which people treat matters involving family. To deliver them, attackers send fake messages, such as that of a family member being in an accident, and ask people to call a premium-rate number to get more information. Those who fall prey to them incur high charges or get manipulated into sharing personal information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Though phishing, vishing<\/a>, and smishing end up sounding similar to many, the three cyberattacks significantly differ, especially in how they get delivered. Some of the key differences between them are listed below for your understanding\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>What is the Meaning of Smishing?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>How Does Smishing Work?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/span>Types of Smishing Attacks<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>SentinelOne<\/span><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>NeuShield Data Sentinel<\/span><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Singularity Complete<\/span><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Avast Essential Business Security<\/span><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Phishing, Vishing, and Smishing: What\u2019s the Difference?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n