Smishing is short for ‘SMS phishing’, a type of attack in which mobile phone users receive text / Multimedia (MMS) messages containing a website hyperlink, which if clicked will download a Trojan horse (malicious computer program) or other malware onto the device. Don’t click on links you receive on your phone unless you know the person they’re coming from. Even if you get a text message with a link from a friend, consider verifying they meant to send the link before clicking on it. Never install apps from text messages. Any apps you install on your device should come straight from the official app store.
With a text message, the hackers might try to accomplish many different things. This includes stealing personal details from you by posing as a representative from your bank. They could try to get you to click on a link in the text message to connect to your bank’s webpage and verify a recent suspicious charge. They may ask you to call their customer service number, conveniently included within the text message, to talk to them about a recent suspicious charge or a compromised account.
Hackers also attempt to use sympathetic measures to gather sensitive information. An example includes messages regarding hurricane relief where the threat actor asks you for a charitable donation. The hacker asks you to click the included link and enter your credit card information, address, and often, your social insurance number. Once the hacker obtains your credit card number, the criminal can even charge your credit card on a monthly basis to avoid alarming you.
Credit : Trend Micro
Picture Credit : Google
