Phishing for Answers is a video series answering common questions about phishing, ransomware, cybersecurity, and more. These videos are great to share with your colleagues, friends, and family! Today we’re talking about smishing.
Smishing is a type of phishing attack that comes in the form of a text message. And with texting being the most common use for smartphones, this makes this type of attack that more dangerous. While most of us know to be wary of messages we get to in our emails, most aren’t aware of the dangers that come with mobile devices. In fact, an estimated 2.5 million smishing messages are sent weekly as of April 2022. So knowing the signs and what to do are pretty vital.
Just like phishing, smishing attacks try to bait you to click a link or respond to the message with personal information. These cyber criminals often pretend to be your bank, a subscription service you use, or even your boss. We recommend never responding to numbers you don’t recognize, especially if the message is urgent. Keep in mind, banks and other financial services you utilize will never send you a message asking for personal info. However, it's always smart to verify with source. If you get a message from someone pretending to be your boss or bank, always reach out directly and make sure the message is from who they say they are. Never click a link included in a message you aren’t sure about. You can also report the number to the FCC. And remember, no service or bank will ever ask you to confirm your credentials over text. Well we hope this answered some of your questions when it comes to smishing.
Understanding the risks when it comes to our mobile devices, and using these tips, can help you eliminate the possibility of falling victim to a smishing attack. And until next time, let’s stay aware, out there.
