In cybersecurity, SMS phishing is intercepting a user's text message through a mobile device. Phishing refers to a scam whereby victims are tricked into providing sensitive information to an attacker disguised as someone they trust. To carry out SMS phishing, malware or fraudulent websites can assist attackers. Several mobile platforms support text messaging, as well as non-SMS channels and mobile apps that use data for texting.
A cyberattack occurred earlier this year, in which hackers stole the personal information, including health information, of more than 13 million Australians, making it one of the country's biggest cyberattacks. This may not seem like much, but keeping your phone's operating system up-to-date protects it from getting infected with malware by preventing it from becoming infected in the future. It is important to keep calm if this message seems to have an urgent feel to it.
Users should be wary of receiving urgent messages from unknown numbers and approach them calmly so they recognize it is probably not a person looking out for their best interest. An answer given by a two-digit number is most likely to be from a scammer whose real phone number is disguised through email to text services that scammers use to conceal their real numbers: It is unlikely that a credible business, or their friends and family, would be using such a service to contact their customers.
The best way to protect your account is to use two-factor or multi-factor authorization whenever it is possible to do so. In this way, users can have their data secure from unwanted prying eyes, which increases their security. Providing a password via a text message is never a good idea. Entering the password or account recovery code directly into the official app or website that is supposed to be used for entering the password or account recovery code can help users.
There has been a theft of customer data from MediSecure over the past couple of weeks, according to the company's announcement on Thursday, with an unknown number of such records being uploaded to the dark web.
After being alerted to the breach on April 13 by suspicious ransomware being discovered on a server containing sensitive personal health data, the company publically confirmed the breach in May, almost a month after it was first discovered.
To ensure that the information is kept safe, one of the best methods is to contact the company that is supposed to be the sender of the text. This is especially useful if the user has a bank account. If that's the case, they should contact their bank directly to get this information. A bill or statement can normally contain a direct phone number to call so that a human representative can be contacted if any questions or concerns arise.
Please do not click on any links that may be mentioned in the text, and do not respond to any of the questions as well. Certainly! Here's a formal and expanded version of the information provided:
Phishing, a form of cyberattack through SMS, relies on deceptive tactics and technological manipulation to exploit victims' trust and gather sensitive information.
This method mirrors traditional email phishing but leverages the immediacy and personal nature of text messaging to lower recipients' defences.
The approach begins with the attacker sending text messages, often personalized with the recipient's name and location, to create a sense of familiarity and legitimacy. These messages typically contain links to malicious websites or apps designed to extract private information or install malware on the victim's smartphone.
To enhance credibility, attackers may use spoofing techniques to conceal their identity by displaying false sender information or utilizing email-text services to obfuscate their phone numbers. This masking helps them appear as legitimate entities such as banks, government agencies, or well-known organizations, thereby increasing the likelihood that recipients will comply with their requests.
Social engineering plays a pivotal role in smishing attacks by exploiting human psychology and emotions.
Attackers craft messages that evoke urgency, fear, or curiosity, prompting recipients to act hastily without due skepticism. By manipulating these emotions, attackers override critical thinking and persuade victims to divulge sensitive information or click on malicious links.
The success of a smishing attack hinges on the recipient's response to the initial bait message. Once a victim interacts with the malicious link or provides personal details, attackers proceed to exploit this information for financial gain or identity theft purposes.
Common objectives include unauthorized access to bank accounts, fraudulent credit card applications, or the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive corporate data.
Mitigating the risk of smishing involves maintaining awareness of common tactics used by attackers and adopting security best practices. These include avoiding clicking on links from unknown or suspicious sources, verifying the authenticity of messages through official channels, and refraining from disclosing sensitive information via text messages.
Furthermore, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible adds a layer of security by requiring a secondary form of verification before accessing accounts or services. By remaining vigilant and informed about the tactics employed by smishing attackers, individuals and organizations can better protect themselves against these increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
