What is Smishing-SMS Text Phishing?

Smishing simply uses text messages as a form of Phishing that includes misleading or malicious links which makes this a particularly crafty security threat from Cybercriminals. While most people know something of the risks from Phishing emails, its not so much from an SMS message, this is because SMS messages don’t have a sender address which you can visually verify quickly.

When people are on their phones, they are usually less wary of potential security threats, most assume that their smartphones are more secure than computers.

Like most cybercriminals, they are out to steal your personal data, which they can then use to steal your money.

It is important to remember that if at any time you feel you may have been compromised, the IT office are here to help. Contact them as soon as possible for help before the threat affects you/others more seriously.

Example of a Smishing Text

1. Link which tricks you into downloading malware that installs itself on your phone.

2. Tricking you into typing in confidential information and sending this data to the cybercriminals.

3. Also, the link in the Smishing message can direct you to a fake site which can appear very genuine, you are then asked to type sensitive personal information that the cybercriminals can use to steal your online ID.

Think twice before you click or reply

1. Never click on a reply link or phone number in a message you’re not sure about.

2. You should regard urgent security alerts and you-must-act-now offers or deals as warning signs of a hacking attempt.

3. Look for suspicious numbers that don’t look like real mobile phone numbers, these numbers link to email-to-text services, which are sometimes used by scam artists to avoid providing their actual phone numbers.

Like email phishing, Smishing works on fooling the victim to clicking a link or providing information. The simplest protection against these attacks is to do nothing at all, so long as you don’t respond.