Smishing, a blend of SMS and phishing, has emerged as a prevalent attack vector in recent years, particularly surging during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. The trend continued in 2021 and beyond, with a significant increase in smishing attacks leading to substantial financial losses. Despite its prevalence, there remains a lack of awareness among the general public, with many dismissing smishing attempts as harmless spam messages. UDT’s security teams have observed a significant uptick in smishing attempts, underscoring the importance of awareness and preventive measures.
What is Smishing?
Smishing involves using text messages (SMS) to deceive users into divulging personal information or clicking on malicious links. These messages often impersonate legitimate businesses or individuals, employing various tactics to appear convincing. For example, some smishing attempts may simulate accidental texts from unknown numbers, gradually coaxing recipients into sharing sensitive information.
What to Watch Out For
Identifying smishing attacks requires vigilance and attention to red flags:
- Urgent requests for immediate action: Messages urging immediate action, such as claiming a gift or confirming suspicious activity, are common smishing tactics. Authentic organizations typically do not initiate unsolicited contact via SMS.
- Multiple recipients: Smishing messages sent to multiple recipients suggest a mass phishing campaign. Delete such messages immediately.
- Unsolicited requests for personal information: Be cautious of requests for personal or sensitive information via SMS, as they are often indicative of scams.
How to Protect Yourself
Protecting against smishing requires proactive measures:
- Block or filter unsolicited messages using device settings.
- Report suspicious messages to your organization’s spam notification email or to the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) using 7726 (SPAM).
- Utilize built-in reporting features on smartphones to flag and block suspicious messages.
- Download anti-spam apps provided by your mobile carrier to enhance protection against malicious texts.
- Refrain from replying to suspicious messages, as it confirms the legitimacy of your number to attackers.
What to Do If You’ve Fallen Victim
If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a smishing attack:
- Remain calm and notify your organization’s IT team, especially if using company-issued devices.
- Block the number associated with the attack and ignore any follow-up messages.
- Consider informing your financial institutions and change passwords on all accounts promptly.
Stay Smart & Stay Safe
To mitigate smishing risks, exercise caution when interacting with text messages, avoid clicking on unfamiliar links or providing personal information, and report suspicious activity to relevant authorities. By staying vigilant and adopting preventive measures, individuals and organizations can defend against smishing attacks effectively.
For comprehensive cybersecurity solutions and expert guidance, explore UDT’s Cybersecurity Services or reach out to our team for personalized assistance. Together, we can strengthen your defenses and safeguard against evolving cyber threats.
