What is smishing vs. phishing?

While both are electronic attacks that aim to steal personal (or company) information, phishing often does so through emails and links. Smishing uses text messages or popular messaging apps, specifically.

What is an example of smishing?

In one common type of smishing, the victim will receive a vague text claiming a package could not be delivered, along with a link to respond. Clicking the link downloads malware on the victimâs phone, or may lead to a bogus site requesting personal information in order to âconfirmâ delivery information.

What happens if you click on a smishing text?

Clicking on a smisherâs link may take the victim to a fake website and attempt to gain their personal details. It could also infect the victimâs mobile device with malware designed to steal personal or financial information stored on the device. This type of software can continue to send messages back to the fraudster until it is discovered.

What are the red flags for smishing?

A few of the warning signs of smishing include: claiming to be from a legitimate source but requesting personal information; the presence of suspicious URLs; demands for an immediate response; emotional requests for money or information; offers for unexpected prizes or rewards.

Can hackers get into your phone by text messages?

Yes. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in both iOS and Android operating systems to gain unauthorized access to stored personal information on your phone. That said, current techniques require the victim to actively click a link or call-through number.

What does a smishing text look like?

Many SMS phishing attacks use generic greetings, coupled with impersonation, urgency, and fear tactics to compel you to divulge personal information or click on fraudulent links.

Is smishing the same as spoofing?

No. Smishing and spoofing are different, though these fraud tactics can be used in conjunction with one another.<br><br>Smishing, or SMS phishing, involves the use of deception to convince victims to click on links or give up their personal information. Meanwhile, spoofing occurs when a fraudster hides their identity by falsifying email addresses, phone numbers, and IP addresses so that their messages appear to be from an official sender.

Author

Mark Watson

Mark Watson is a Relationship Manager & Chargeback Specialist at Chargebacks911. He possesses nearly two decades of experience in the payments space, having previously managed a team of Visa and Mastercard chargeback staff in the dispute resolution unit at NatWest before taking on his current role.