How to stay safe from SMS Phishing or SMiShing

Phishing has taken many forms. There are several tricks that scamsters and hackers use for stealing your identity or money. While there are several ways that hackers rely upon to dupe you including phishing emails, malware and rogue apps masquerading as the genuine ones – one of the most common options used for the purpose would be the Smishing attack.

What is Smishing?

Smishing refers to SMS Phishing. By definition, an SMS Phishing would involve sending fake or false text messages and luring the gullible user’s int parting with their details or money.

This would ideally involve a fake message that the client has won a lottery or a free product. You will have a fake URL on which you are expected to claim your winning. As soon as you click on the link, the hacking will begin.

Smishing or SMS phishing is entirely equivalent to phishing. The only difference would be that you will receive the SMS message instead of the email, letter, Instant Messenger text or other forms of communication modes. It begins with the hackers or cyber criminals getting access to your number from the public domain where you may have listed your number. Your number may have been leaked by another company as part of the dark web incidences.

Most of the times, the messages appear to be quite genuine. They use your actual data or make use of any of your recent activities on the web to incite interest in the message that they send. More often than not, these SMS phishing attempts are directed towards making you part with your financial details or credentials.

How to Stay Safe from SMS Phishing or Smishing?

There are a few tips that can help you safe from falling prey to the unwanted messages and texts. Let us check out a few specific options that may be helpful enough for your needs.

Check the Authenticity of the Messages

Make sure the message has arrived from the genuine sources. If the SMS claims to arrive from the bank, ensure that it is from the bank itself. Ideally, banks do not expect you to share your details through the text messages or calls. You can get in touch with the bank through the authorized channels before parting with any of your information.

Never Click on any Unknown Number or Link

If you are not sure whether the number that the text has been received from is genuine, it would be worthwhile not to click on the link. Never ever click on any link or call back the number if it is available. It is best advised to delete the message right away. This will avoid the possibility that the message or the links therein are clicked even by oversight.

Use Good Anti-phishing Software

It may be a good idea to check if you have access to a good antivirus solution for your phone. Services like Zonealarm should be quite helpful and practical. Thorough protection against the SMS phishing should be the best you can go with. Choose a tool that provides you complete protection.

A few other tips that can be helpful would include

• Never reply to the suspicious-looking messages.
• Perform extensive research into the message.
• Check the time for the message sent. A message sent an unusual time may be an indication of doubt.
• Use a good VPN service to safeguard your location data.

Those were a few tips that should be helpful enough in addressing the concern you may have. Check out for the clear signs of issues in terms of phishing and take precautionary measures right away. It would be the right step in the right direction.