What is Phishing via SMS?

SMS phishing is an increasingly common form of cybercrime. It is a way cybercriminals try to obtain personal information through text messages. These messages appear legitimate, but usually contain a link to a fake website. As a result, users may provide their personal data, such as their bank details, to the cybercriminals. Phishing via SMS is also known as Smishing.

How does SMS phishing work?

SMS phishing is a form of social engineering, in which the cybercriminal uses a clever trick to obtain personal information. These messages resemble legitimate messages from companies or financial institutions, but the information they contain is often incorrect in order to deceive users.

The most common form of SMS phishing is a text message with a link to a fake website. These websites resemble real websites but usually contain malware or other harmful software. As a result, users may provide their personal data, such as bank details, to the cybercriminals.

Protecting yourself against SMS phishing

There are a few ways you can protect yourself against SMS phishing. To start, users should be careful when opening text messages. If the message comes from an unknown number, extra caution should be exercised. Be especially critical about opening the attached links. Before clicking a link, make sure it points to a trustworthy website. Curious what trustworthy URLs look like?

Suppose you click the link anyway to view the website yourself. Then make sure not to enter any personal data on that website. Think of your email address, password, and other sensitive (personal) data. This data can be misused for countless purposes. Think, for example, of identity theft or the takeover of your accounts.

Curious how you can reduce the chance of becoming a victim of (SMS) phishing? Then read our blog about How you can protect yourself against phishing!