Smishing, a contraction of “SMS” and “phishing”, is a form of cyberattack that targets users through malicious SMS messages. Like email phishing, smishing aims to trick victims into disclosing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal data.
How does smishing work ?
Smishing attacks often begin by sending text messages to users, pretending to come from trusted entities such as banks, payment services or e-commerce companies. These messages may contain suspicious links or phone numbers to call, tricking victims into acting quickly under the pretext of an emergency or attractive opportunity. Once the victim clicks on the link or calls the number provided, they are redirected to a fraudulent website that often resembles that of a targeted organization. There, she is asked to enter sensitive information, which is then captured by cybercriminals for exploitation.
How to protect yourself from these attacks ?
To protect yourself against smishing, here are some simple but effective measures to take into account. First of all, be vigilant about unsolicited messages. Be wary of text messages from unknown or unsolicited senders, especially if they ask for personal or financial information. It is also essential to verify the identity of the sender before replying to a message or clicking on a link. Make sure it’s a legitimate source. Additionally, never disclose sensitive information via text message, especially if you did not request the interaction. Use mobile security solutions by installing and maintaining mobile security apps to detect and block malicious text messages. Finally, if you receive a suspicious text message, it is crucial to report it to your mobile carrier or the appropriate authority to investigate the incident. By adopting these security practices, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to smishing.
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