What is smishing, how to detect it and what to do?

The growing dependence on technology in our daily lives has given rise to various cyber threats, such as smishing. The term 'smishing' is an ingenious mix of 'SMS' and 'phishing'. In short, it involves scams carried out through text messages. In this article, we dive into the world of smishing, exploring what it exactly is, how you can identify it, and most importantly, what actions you can take to protect yourself and your data. Keep reading!

What is smishing: SMS + phishing?

To understand what smishing is, you need to break down the full word. 'Smishing' is the combination of 'SMS' (text messages) and 'phishing' (online fraud). In short, it involves scams carried out through text messages. Cybercriminals try to trick you into revealing confidential information, such as passwords or bank details, using ingenious schemes.

Most common forms of smishing

The most common forms used to deceive through text messages or smishing are:

Bank identity theft

You receive a message that appears to be from your bank, alerting you about suspicious activity. They urge you to click on a link to verify your details.

Irresistible offers

You receive a message promising prizes, exclusive discounts, or tempting giveaways. You just need to click on the attached link.

Fake security alerts

A message informs you about alleged threats to your account security, requesting that you enter your credentials immediately.

Non-existent package deliveries

You receive a message from a delivery company informing you about a pending package.

How can you avoid smishing fraud?

Here are some strategies to shield your text messages and stay safe from fraud:

Be suspicious of unsolicited messages.
Verify the sender before clicking any link.
Never share confidential information via text.
Confirm with the official source directly.
Install antivirus and anti-malware software.
Keep your software regularly updated.
Continuous education about the latest smishing tactics.
Don't click on suspicious links.
Use secure messaging applications with end-to-end encryption.
Set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).

How would you know if a text message is smishing?

Detecting if a text message is a smishing attempt requires sharpness and a touch of digital scepticism. These are some signs that will help you identify if you are being targeted:

Poor spelling and grammar.
Suspicious or shortened links.
Urgent requests or threats.
Unknown or strange senders.
Irresistible offers.
Requests for confidential information.
Requests to download attachments or applications.
Messages that arouse suspicion: trust your instinct.

What is the difference between phishing and smishing?

Phishing is generally carried out through fake emails or fraudulent websites to obtain confidential information, such as passwords or credit card details. On the other hand, smishing is a more modern version, as it uses text messages (SMS) to deceive people.

In this post, you've learned what smishing is, how to detect it, and what to do if you fall for this scam. At Digizone Labs, we encounter this type of scam daily, so it's important to detect them in time to avoid falling for them.