Smishing is a form of phishing that a cybercriminal uses to trick you into giving up your confidential information via a text or SMS message. Smishing attacks are steadily rising and becoming a growing threat to security.
Smishing is especially dangerous because users are more likely to trust a text message over an email. More users are becoming aware of the security risks involved with clicking on links in emails, but not when it comes to text messages.
Are you on social media? Have you seen the cute posts quizzes asking the name of the street you grew up on, or your first car, favorite teacher, first pet, etc.? Did you fill them out? That is Smishing. Smishing uses social engineering to get you to share your personal information to obtain anything from online passwords, social security number, or credit card information. Once the cybercriminal has the answers to your security questions the possibilities are endless.
How to Know If You are Being Smished
The best way to remain safe is not to reply to text messages from people you do not know. If you receive an SMS from a “5000” phone number; this is a sign that the text message is a Smishing email sent to a phone.
Basic Precautions:
· Do not click on links
- Install antivirus software
- Encrypt your data
- Keep devices up to date
- Connect to secure Wi-Fi
- Use a VPN
- Never install apps from text messages
Most of your text messages are safe, but it only takes one bad text to compromise your security.
For any questions about Smishing or how DCR can help keep you and your employee’s devices secure, call us at 918.436.1830!