SMiShing and Other Texting Scams (2024)

FAQs

SMiShing and Other Texting Scams? ›

Smishing is a social engineering attack that uses fake mobile text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information or sending money to cybercriminals. The term “smishing” is a combination of “SMS”—or “short message service,” the technology behind text messages—and “phishing.”

Phishing: fraudulent e-mails and websites meant to steal data. Vishing: fraudulent phone calls that induce you to reveal personal information. Smishing: fraudulent text messages meant to trick you into revealing data.

A typical smishing scam message may seem like it's from a bank – maybe your bank – and include a link or phone number to bait you into clicking or calling. If you do, you stand a good chance of being hooked.

SPIM: Sends a lot of spam messages, fake news, or phishing tries to people through instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger. Smishing: Uses Short Message Service (SMS), or text messages, to create a sense of trust and urgency by taking advantage of how quick and personal they are.

Angler phishing is a new type of phishing attack that targets social media users. People disguise themselves as a customer service agent on social media in order to reach a disgruntled customer and obtain their personal information or account credentials.

A whale phishing or whaling attack is a spear phishing attack that is aimed exclusively at a high-level executive or official. The attacker typically impersonates a peer within the target's organization, or an equal or higher-level colleague or associate from another organization.

“Congrats! You've won!” This is a common smishing message that makes the victim believe they've won a monetary prize. The link or phone number attached will usually ask for personal information first. If you didn't participate in a contest, you likely didn't win anything.

In some cases, yes. Replying to a smishing message can allow malware into your phone or land you some unwanted charges.

Smishing is a social engineering attack that uses fake mobile text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information or sending money to cybercriminals. The term “smishing” is a combination of “SMS”—or “short message service,” the technology behind text messages—and “phishing.”

What happens if you click on a smishing text? ›

Clicking a phishing link in a spam text message can open your phone to security threats. If you don't enter any information or accept any downloads, your data may be safe. On the other hand, it's possible that suspicious files and malware were downloaded to your device through that malicious link.

A shark is a tool that will help you do Phishing in an advanced way so no one checks and identify that you are doing phishing.For those guys who Don't know about Phishing let me explain "Phishing is the fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information or data, such as usernames, passwords, by disguising oneself as a ...

What is an example of a smishing attack? An example of such an attack is a Message that contains a link to a fake website, which looks like an official bank website, but is actually a phishing page designed to steal the victim's credentials.

No one can hack you just by texting you (unless they use sophisticated zero-click exploit technology). As long as you don't click any links or open attachments, there's usually no threat. A link should only be clicked — and an attachment should only be opened — if you're expecting it and sure it's safe.

Smishing is done via text or instant messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. The scammer provides their victim with a link, which, when clicked, will help them steal personal information or upload malware. Vishing, on the other hand, uses phone calls and voicemail to reach the victim.

Vishing, short for “voice phishing,” is a phone-based cyberattack where cybercriminals exploit the phone as a tool for their attacks. During a vishing phone call, a scammer may try to get you to share personal information and financial details, such as bank account numbers and passwords.

Smishing attacks have been growing in recent years, and they were reported in 74% of companies in 2021, an increase from the 61% experienced in 2020.