The Complete Guide to Understanding Smishing Attacks

“Smishing is a type of cyber attack where criminals use fraudulent text messages to trick individuals into sharing sensitive information.” 

Cybercriminals are finding more creative ways to steal personal information in today’s electronic landscape. Smishing or phishing via SMS or short messaging service-text message is one such method. Most people know how to spot phishing attempts via email, but because fewer people check their cell phones for messages, it can often easily go unnoticed, making it an especially dangerous threat. We will see what smishing is, how everything works, and how to avoid scams. 

 

What is Smishing? 

Smishing is “SMS phishing,” short for it. Just like phishing emails, smishing messages hope to trick you into clicking a lousy link, downloading malware or entering sensitive personal information such as passwords, credit card details, or your social security number. More often than not, smishing messages come from very legitimate-looking organizations, be they banks, delivery services, or even government agencies. 

With over 3.5 billion smartphones around the globe that can receive SMS messages from any number, most people understand what’s at risk when they click on email links. Few, however, don’t have any idea what might be in store for them the first time they click on a link sent via text message. Since, typically, people tend to be more trusting of SMS messages, smishing scams, where attackers attempt to gain access to credentials, banking information, and other sensitive data, can be highly lucrative. 

In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) required telecom companies to implement the STIR/SHAKEN protocol. This protocol authenticates phone calls, which is why many mobile phones now show “scam likely” or “spam likely” warnings when suspicious numbers attempt to call. 

While this rule made it easier to identify scam calls, it didn’t have the same impact on text messages, prompting many scammers to shift their attention to smishing attacks. 

 

How Does Smishing Work? 

Smishing is usually accompanied by a common sequence. You are receiving a message from an unknown number or one that looks familiar. There will be a feeling of urgency behind the message; for example: 

“Your bank account has been suspended. Click here to reactivate.” 

“You have won a prize! Click here to claim it now.” 

“Your delivery has been delayed. Track it here.” 

Most of these messages contain a link or telephone number that encourages the user to act the fastest. When one clicks on the link, they are forwarded to a fake version of the original site that intends to steal user information. It may also download malware into the device, which the users may not realize at first. 

 

Smishing vs Phishing vs Vishing 

Knowing the differences between Smishing, Phishing, and Vishing helps you be on your guard against these other cyber threats. The words themselves describe deceitful practices cyber thieves perform to extract sensitive information from people. Even so, these do differ in medium and approach. 

Smishing 

1. Channel: Text messages through SMS 
2. Goal: This is to get their credentials and financial information or to download malware 

Example: A message saying your package is delayed and asking you to click the link to track it. 

Phishing 

1. Channel: Most often done through emails 
2. Goal: Steal your sensitive information or install malware on your device 

Example: An email that seems to be coming from the bank asking you to verify your account by clicking a link is an example of a phishing attack. 

Vishing (Voice Phishing) 

1. Channel: Through phone calls 
2. Goal: Steal your finances, passwords, or personal details 

Example: A caller falsely representing themself as someone from your bank and asking to provide your account details “to solve a security problem. 

 

Examples of Smishing Attack 

Here are five common examples of smishing attacks: 

1. Bank Fraud Alert: You receive a text stating suspicious activity in your bank account. You are asked to click a link at the bottom and fill in your account information to confirm your identity. 
2. Missed Delivery Notification: This message states it’s from a delivery company, such as FedEx or DHL. It says that the delivery couldn’t reach your location and asks you to click on some link in order to reschedule the delivery, which can sometimes require personal details or some fee. 
3. Account Verification: You receive an email purporting to come from services like Amazon or PayPal that alerts you to a problem with your account and encourages you to validate your account through a link and entry of login credentials. 
4. Tech Support Scam: A Message tells you your computer is infected with a virus, and it then refers you to the Web site of a genuine organization. However, at the bottom of the page, it always prompts you to click on a link to download “antivirus” software that is malware. 
5. Gift Card Scam: A congratulatory message tells you that you have won a gift card from a big-name retail store. It asks you to click on a link to get a gift card after filling out your personal information for verification. 

 

Steps to Protect Yourself from Smishing 

Here are some fundamental steps toward safety: 

Knowledge and alertness hold the key to staying safe from smishing.  

1. Don’t Click on Links: If you receive a message with a URL, DO NOT click on it. Instead, go to their official website using your browser or use other official channels to confirm whether the message is legitimate. 
2. Use Security Software: Install reputed mobile security applications that can detect malicious URLs and apps for your smartphone. Many such security applications provide an extra layer of protection for smishing as well as other mobile-specific attacks. 
3. Be Skeptical: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of unsolicited messages, even if they look legitimate. 
4. Report Smishing: If you have received a smishing message, report it by forwarding the text to the concerned authorities. This may help limit the spread of these scams. 
5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): If you have 2FA for your accounts, even if a scammer compromises your password, you are not going to be easy prey because they will still need to breach the second layer of security to access your account. 
6. Keep Software Updated: Regular upgrades keep the smartphone’s operating system and apps regularly refreshed with a constant flow of patches ready to be outed to fix various security exploits that cybercrooks may find and exploit. 

What to Do If You Fall for a Smishing Scam 

If you believe you’ve fallen for a smishing scam, take action immediately: 

1. Change Your Passwords: If you have keyed in any account information, then change those passwords right away. 
2.  Update Your Passwords: If you have shared any account information, you must change the password immediately. 
3. Monitor Your Accounts: Check your bank and credit card accounts for any suspicious transactions. 
4. Contact Your Bank: If you have entered any financial information, alert your bank so they can catch possible fraud. 
5. Report the Incident: Report the scam to your mobile carrier and the appropriate authorities so no one else will become a victim of this scam. 

Conclusion

Knowing how smishing operates and how we can shield ourselves, one can minimize the risk of being a victim of such scams. People should always bear in mind that, in matters concerning cybersecurity, they are only as safe as the information they possess. Be careful, do not reply to any message that comes in unexpectedly, and never take anything at face value. With these practices, one can feel more confident and secure while navigating the digital arena.