Beware! Smishing Attacks on the Rise: Learn How to Stay One Step Ahead<\/h1><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/iesmartsystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/smishing-239x300.jpg\" "\\"smishing\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div>What is Smishing? Plus, How to Defend Against It<\/h2>\n
So, what is smishing? Like phishing, it\u2019s a type of cyber attack used to steal personal information from unsuspecting victims. Smishing, however, is distinct in that it is done via texting (SMS messaging). Through social engineering, hackers use psychological manipulation to trick people into revealing sensitive data or taking actions that could lead to financial loss or identity theft.<\/p>\n
Many kinds of smishing attacks exist and new ones are constantly appearing. However, they generally take the form of one of the following:<\/p>\n
\n- Phishing links<\/li>\n
- Malicious attachments<\/li>\n
- Fake offers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Smishing attacks can have devastating consequences for both individuals and businesses. To defend against smishing, it\u2019s crucial to be aware of the different types of smishing. Tips for avoiding smishing\u00a0include:<\/p>\n
\n- Be suspicious of any unsolicited text messages from unknown senders<\/li>\n
- Never click on links in texts or open attachments unless you are sure they are safe<\/li>\n
- Never share personal information via text message<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How Does Smishing Work?<\/h2>\n
Understanding smishing is the key to protecting against it. The psychology of smishing relies entirely on manipulation, which makes it particularly effective.<\/p>\n
Smishing starts with an attacker crafting a message that appears to be from a legitimate source. Common sources attackers pose include:<\/p>\n
\n- Someone\u2019s bank or credit union<\/li>\n
- A local or federal government agency (like the IRS)<\/li>\n
- A business<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Attackers use persuasive language and other sneaky tactics to appear legitimate and convince the recipient to take the steps they want (generally revealing personal info or clicking on a phishing link). By being aware of common techniques used by attackers, individuals can better protect themselves against these types of attacks.<\/p>\n
Common Types of Smishing Attacks<\/h2>\n
There are many types of smishing attacks! Some of the most common ones are:<\/p>\n
COVID-19 Info<\/h3>\n
COVID-19 smishing is a type of smishing attack in which scammers send phishing messages related to the pandemic (such as vaccine info). These messages may contain malicious links or attachments that, when clicked, can lead to malware being installed on the user’s device.<\/p>\n
Real-life smishing examples are more common than you might think! In 2022, the attorney general even had to issue a stern warning<\/a>\u00a0after scammers in New Hampshire posed as the DMV and DHS via text to steal personal info.<\/p>\nFinancial Services<\/h3>\n
Financial services smishing is another form of smishing attack wherein criminals attempt to gain access to users’ financial data by sending them phishing messages disguised as legitimate banking notifications. In some cases, they may even ask for personal information such as account numbers and passwords.<\/p>\n
Financial-related smishing is\u00a0on the rise<\/a>\u00a0in recent years! Because of this, users can now\u00a0report online to the FTC<\/a>.<\/p>\nPreventing Smishing: Tips and Best Practices<\/h2>\n
Preventing smishing\u00a0attacks is the key to protecting against cyber-attacks like identity theft!. Self-education is extremely important\u2014 users must be able to recognize suspicious messages or links that could lead to a scam. So with that being said, here are four tips for secure online behavior:<\/p>\n
Tip #1<\/h3>\n
Never click on links or open attachments from suspicious or unknown sources,<\/p>\n
Tip #2<\/h3>\n
Never share passwords and credit card numbers with untrusted sources. Also, ensure you know how your bank communicates and through what source(s).<\/p>\n
Tip #3<\/h3>\n
Use two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible!<\/p>\n
Tip #4<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/div>What is Smishing? Plus, How to Defend Against It<\/h2>\n
So, what is smishing? Like phishing, it\u2019s a type of cyber attack used to steal personal information from unsuspecting victims. Smishing, however, is distinct in that it is done via texting (SMS messaging). Through social engineering, hackers use psychological manipulation to trick people into revealing sensitive data or taking actions that could lead to financial loss or identity theft.<\/p>\n
Many kinds of smishing attacks exist and new ones are constantly appearing. However, they generally take the form of one of the following:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Phishing links<\/li>\n
- Malicious attachments<\/li>\n
- Fake offers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Smishing attacks can have devastating consequences for both individuals and businesses. To defend against smishing, it\u2019s crucial to be aware of the different types of smishing. Tips for avoiding smishing\u00a0include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Be suspicious of any unsolicited text messages from unknown senders<\/li>\n
- Never click on links in texts or open attachments unless you are sure they are safe<\/li>\n
- Never share personal information via text message<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How Does Smishing Work?<\/h2>\n
Understanding smishing is the key to protecting against it. The psychology of smishing relies entirely on manipulation, which makes it particularly effective.<\/p>\n
Smishing starts with an attacker crafting a message that appears to be from a legitimate source. Common sources attackers pose include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Someone\u2019s bank or credit union<\/li>\n
- A local or federal government agency (like the IRS)<\/li>\n
- A business<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Attackers use persuasive language and other sneaky tactics to appear legitimate and convince the recipient to take the steps they want (generally revealing personal info or clicking on a phishing link). By being aware of common techniques used by attackers, individuals can better protect themselves against these types of attacks.<\/p>\n
Common Types of Smishing Attacks<\/h2>\n
There are many types of smishing attacks! Some of the most common ones are:<\/p>\n
COVID-19 Info<\/h3>\n
COVID-19 smishing is a type of smishing attack in which scammers send phishing messages related to the pandemic (such as vaccine info). These messages may contain malicious links or attachments that, when clicked, can lead to malware being installed on the user’s device.<\/p>\n
Real-life smishing examples are more common than you might think! In 2022, the attorney general even had to issue a stern warning<\/a>\u00a0after scammers in New Hampshire posed as the DMV and DHS via text to steal personal info.<\/p>\n
Financial Services<\/h3>\n
Financial services smishing is another form of smishing attack wherein criminals attempt to gain access to users’ financial data by sending them phishing messages disguised as legitimate banking notifications. In some cases, they may even ask for personal information such as account numbers and passwords.<\/p>\n
Financial-related smishing is\u00a0on the rise<\/a>\u00a0in recent years! Because of this, users can now\u00a0report online to the FTC<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Preventing Smishing: Tips and Best Practices<\/h2>\n
Preventing smishing\u00a0attacks is the key to protecting against cyber-attacks like identity theft!. Self-education is extremely important\u2014 users must be able to recognize suspicious messages or links that could lead to a scam. So with that being said, here are four tips for secure online behavior:<\/p>\n
Tip #1<\/h3>\n
Never click on links or open attachments from suspicious or unknown sources,<\/p>\n
Tip #2<\/h3>\n
Never share passwords and credit card numbers with untrusted sources. Also, ensure you know how your bank communicates and through what source(s).<\/p>\n
Tip #3<\/h3>\n
Use two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible!<\/p>\n
Tip #4<\/h3>\n
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