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This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Cybercrime continues to evolve, using a variety of methods to deceive people. One such method is smishing (from the English SMS phishing), which has become a real threat in the digital age.
What is smishing?
Smishing is a type of phishing where scammers use SMS messages to send malicious links or collect confidential information. Its goal is to trick the victim into clicking on a link or providing personal data, which is then used for stealing money, accessing bank accounts, or other fraudulent activities.
Such messages often appear as official communications from banks, government agencies, online stores, or popular services. For example:
- "Your bank account has been blocked. Click the link to restore access."
- "You have won a prize! Claim it by clicking this link."
- "Your delivery could not be completed. Confirm the details here."
How does smishing work?
Scammers create messages that look as convincing as possible. They may use:
- Names of well-known brands or institutions. For example, "Bank XYZ" or "Delivery Service."
- Urgent tone. Messages often contain phrases like "immediately," "last chance," "blocked," to instill fear or panic.
- Fake links. They often resemble official URLs but have slight differences, such as bank-xyz.net instead of bank-xyz.com.
Once a user clicks on the link, they may be redirected:
- To a trap website. This site collects personal information, such as logins, passwords, or banking details.
- To download malware. Malware may be installed on your device, giving scammers access to your data.
Why is smishing so dangerous?
- High trust in SMS. People often consider SMS a more reliable means of communication than email.
- Lack of filters. Many antivirus programs and filters do not monitor SMS messages as closely as other communication channels.
- Social engineering. Smishing uses psychological pressure, forcing a person to act impulsively.
How to recognize smishing?
Here are some signs that a message may be fraudulent:
- Unexpected sender. If you receive an SMS from a bank you do not work with, it is immediately suspicious.
- Too good to be true offer. For example, a message about winning something, even though you haven't entered any contest.
- Suspicious link. If the URL looks unusual, it’s better not to open it.
- Grammatical errors. Many fraudulent SMS contain spelling or stylistic mistakes.
- Call to action. Phrases like "click the link now" or "confirm your account" create pressure.
How to protect yourself from smishing?
- Do not open suspicious messages. If you receive an SMS that seems strange, do not click on the link or respond to it.
- Verify information with the sender. For example, call the bank or institution using the official number to confirm if they actually sent the message.
- Do not enter confidential data. No official organization will ask you to enter a PIN or password via SMS.
- Use antivirus programs. Many of them have features to protect against malicious links and SMS.
- Update software. Regularly updating your smartphone and apps can protect against vulnerabilities.
- Educate yourself and your loved ones. Tell friends and family about the dangers of smishing so they can be cautious too.
What to do if you become a victim?
- Immediately contact your bank. If you have provided your data to scammers, inform the bank so they can block your account or card.
- Scan your device for viruses. Use antivirus software to check if any malware has been installed.
- Report to the police. In many countries, there are cyber police services that handle such cases.
Be vigilant, critically assess any messages from unknown sources, and remember: your safety is in your hands!
Also read an interesting post on the topic:Catfishing. Online fraud
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