We can define smishing as a type of phishing attack aimed at mobile devices where attackers execute their attacks via text messaging (SMS) rather than email.
Smishing relies on deceiving people into clicking a link to reveal sensitive information. Login credentials, for example, might be used to gain access to target systems or even to install malware.
Because of the ease of acquiring phone numbers, the availability of smartphones, and the implied trust of a text message over a regular email, this kind of attack has recently grown increasingly prevalent.
While emails can contain any amount of letters or special characters, phone numbers adhere to predefined patterns, such as ten-digit patterns in the US. These patterns allow attackers to experiment with different combinations and send out blasts to whole ranges.
Furthermore, phone numbers are frequently tied with social media, making them easier to identify while also supplying attackers with a store of information to customize smishing attempts.
Attackers are also succeeding because of the user-phone relationship. Users are more likely to trust their smartphones and scan a message than read it attentively if they’re on the run or preoccupied with something else.
Smishing is becoming a significant threat to companies as the use of mobile phones for business grows due to remote employment. That’s why you should understand how it works and how to protect your company from this threat.
Now you know what smishing is, so let’s see how it works.
How Does Smishing Work?
The majority of smishing attacks operate similarly to email phishing. The attacker sends a message luring the user to click a link or requests a response containing the targeted user’s personal information.
An attacker may seek any information, including online account passwords, private information that might be used in identity theft, and financial data that could be sold on black markets.
Smishing attackers employ a range of techniques to fool users into transmitting sensitive information. They may utilize basic information about the target, like their name, obtained from publicly available web tools to trick the target into believing the message is coming from a reliable source.
The smishing attacker may address you directly using your name. These specifics strengthen the message. The message displays a link to a website controlled by the attacker.
This link can take you to a credential site or malware designed to hack your phone. The infection can then be used to eavesdrop on the user’s smartphone data or to surreptitiously convey sensitive data to an attacker-controlled site.
Smishing is used in conjunction with social engineering. Before sending a text message, the attacker may call the user and request personal information. The confidential information can then be used in the text message smishing attack.
Several telecommunications companies have attempted to combat social engineering calls by flashing spam warnings on a smartphone when a known scam number contacts the customer.
Malware is frequently detected and blocked by basic Android and iOS security mechanisms. However, no security safeguards on mobile operating systems can prevent users from knowingly sending their data to an unknown number.
Smishing Attack Types
Keep an eye out for these different types of smishing types to help safeguard the security of your phone and business.
Covid Smishing
Attackers attempt to exploit those affected by the coronavirus by using Covid smishing scams. They will usually act as government or healthcare entities in order to persuade you to read freshly disclosed material or claim your financial aid. While the official software is available on Play Store and App Store, fake apps are usually distributed via alternative app marketplaces.
Financial Service Smishing
Scammers of financial services take advantage of the fact that practically everyone utilizes banks and credit card firms to handle their finances. Smishing text messages appear as reputable and trustworthy banking organizations in order to trick you into revealing sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, phone numbers, passwords, and emails.
Order Confirmation Smishing
Confirmation smishing scams entice you to provide sensitive information by sending you false confirmation requests. This could be for an upcoming appointment, an online order, or a billing invoice for business owners. A relevant smishing example can be a message with a link to a website where you must enter login information to confirm an appointment or transaction.
Multi-Factor Authentication Smishing
Because SMS is a popular technique for multi-factor authentication, several smishing attacks are meant to steal these codes. The attacker may inform the recipient that they must confirm their identity by providing the attacker with the code sent to them. The attacker activates the code by trying to log in as the user and gains access after the recipient enters the right code.
Customer Service Smishing
Customer support smishing attackers send smishing texts masquerading as any company that a person would trust. They may impersonate representatives of online businesses or stores, informing you of a problem with your account. They’ll give you instructions on how to resolve the problem, which usually entails visiting a bogus website infested with spyware that will record any information you key in.
Delivery Smishing
This strategy has gained popularity in the last two years as more consumers shop online, and businesses have hastened to include new SMS notification use cases. Attackers used this opportunity to create highly convincing messages and act as delivery businesses. They may request that the recipient pay additional delivery fees or enter their login credentials in order to obtain further information about the problem.
Gift Smishing
Another popular smishing example is gift smishing. We’ve all received a “You’ve won!” SMS at least once in our lives, only to discover that we’d won nothing. These smishing attacks tout a bogus contest giveaway you won to trick you into clicking on a malicious link to receive your reward. If you continue to visit their website, malware could infiltrate your device and compromise your system and the data stored on it.
Social Media Smishing
This method employs social engineering to increase the effectiveness of the smishing attack exponentially. If a message includes the name and contact information of someone we know and trust, we are significantly more inclined to believe it is genuine.
Scammers only need to scrape the victim’s social media profiles to determine who their close friends or business acquaintances are and then use this information. Perhaps by providing them with a job, a fantastic business opportunity, or an invitation to a relevant event.
Where Did They Find My Number?
Victims of smishing attacks usually wonder how their phone number ended up in the hands of smishing attackers. There are numerous ways for this to occur, as we supply our phone number to various organizations on a regular basis.
Browsers Forms
When you fill out a web form, depending on your browser settings, the information you provide can be retained in memory so that the browser remembers your details the next time you fill out a similar form. If the browser does not lock down this data, malware can find it and extract it, which it then sends to third parties.
Bruteforce
In most countries, mobile phone numbers have a uniform length and format, making it easy for software to generate large lists of probable phone numbers. If you ever get calls that only ring once, those could be dialers that check if your phone number exists.
Data Breaches
When attackers get access to a company’s client database, they can take anything from login information to mobile phone numbers. These individuals may not utilize the information themselves but rather sell it to other criminals who specialize in specific sorts of fraud.
Internet Scraping
You may be unaware that your phone number is displayed in several legitimate locations on the internet. Anything from former social media profiles to websites of organizations or clubs you used to belong to, as well as third-party business directories. Attackers will employ software that constantly monitors the internet for data that look like phone numbers.
Smishing Attack Prevention
Smishing attackers try to trick victims into giving up personal information or clicking on a malicious link. Receiving a suspicious text will not infect your device with malware or expose your data on its own, so avoiding scammers is as simple as not connecting with them.
Here are some important pointers on how to prevent smishing attacks.
Be Mindful
Scammers use emotional pressure to get you to respond quickly. They create urgency by claiming that time is running out or scaring you with terrible consequences if you do not act immediately. These are unmistakable indications of a con artist, so do your best to keep them in mind when you receive such messages.
Use Security Software
By keeping your software up to date, you can keep your mobile safe from attackers. Phone operating systems like Android and iOS are frequently patched to solve security gaps, so failing to apply updates can leave you vulnerable to attackers.
Furthermore, you should install a security solution on your phone. Preferably one that comes with smishing detection and prevention functionality.
Finally, make sure that all of your apps are up to date as well. This will protect you from other potential exploits.
Ignore Strangers
Don’t answer if you receive a message from a sender you don’t recognize, such as a company you don’t do business with or a strange phone number. Even responding with a “no” informs the scammer that your phone number is active, which might lead to additional spam. Instead of responding to unwelcome communications, block them.
If you receive an unexpected SMS from an unknown sender you believe has a genuine reason to contact you, contact the organization via a trustworthy channel.
Avoid Links
Smishing text messages contain links that infect your device with malware or drive you to enter your information into persuasive website spoofs that masquerade as legitimate sites. Do not click on any links that are included in the questionable text.
Don’t Share Personal Information
Smishing attacks are commonly used to steal sensitive data from their targets while posing as identity verification or other pretexts. Never share personal information with someone you haven’t called or texted using a number listed on their website.
Only Share Your Number With Colleagues
Unless it’s an employee of your organization, we suggest not sharing your digits. Do not use your business number in any personally used subscription service or account. This way, you reduce the risk of disclosing your number to attackers and marketers.
Examine Phone Numbers
Unusual phone numbers, especially those on the shorter end, may indicate the use of email to SMS services. This is one of the methods an attacker might use to conceal their real phone number.
Damage Control
You applied all the security measures but still fell victim to smishing? Smishing attackers can be very convincing, so there’s no way to completely protect yourself.
If you already got scammed, it’s time to apply damage control and avoid further issues. Just follow the three steps we outlined below.
- Protect your finances. If you gave the attacker your financial information, notify your card issuer or bank that it was stolen. Continue to monitor your account for suspicious transactions and dispute them as soon as possible.
- Update your passwords. Make new passwords for any accounts that have been compromised as a result of a smishing attack. Use different passwords for your accounts and make them stronger than before.
- Use an antivirus. If you believe your phone was infected with malware, take the necessary steps to remove it. Check that your phone’s security software is up to date, and use it to run a scan.
Final Words
Now you know what smishing is and how to prevent smishing attacks from affecting your business.
Smishing is nothing new, and it’s unlikely to go away anytime soon. The situation is becoming increasingly serious as more people continue to utilize mobile phones for business-related activities.
Keep in mind that attackers are constantly looking for new ways to target new victims and put a new spin on old techniques. That’s why it’s critical to remain attentive and avoid falling victim to a smishing scam. All businesses should incorporate smishing attacks in their security training.
