How Smishing Attacks Work?
Smishing attacks exploit the trust, fear and impulsiveness of innocent individuals. They manipulate the targets and force them to take quick actions that lead to undesirable consequences. It uses calculated steps to deceive victims into disclosing sensitive information and doing other activities that help in the cause of cybercriminals. Here is how smishing works:
1. Target Selection
At the start, the attackers select their target from a list of phone numbers. These phone numbers are stolen from specific organizations or groups and made available on the dark web. Sometimes employees of a company or group disclose the information to the data-hunting companies who sell this data to malicious actors.
2. Crafting the Message
After selecting their targets Smishers compose text messages demanding immediate actions from recipients. The text contains queries like account verification, account suspension, unauthorized activities, flashy deals and discounts. In addition to this, the text contains links, emergency help numbers and reply options with a slight warning to the user that if they do not act immediately they will face serious consequences.
3. Message Delivery
Now comes the time to send the messages to the targets. In this process, they use SMS spoofing to hide their real identity and appear as a trusted source such as a bank, legal authority and shipping company to the receiver. To maintain higher anonymity and create complete obscurity cybercriminals use burner phones and email to text services. These tools leave no clue about the sender and their real identity when sending a malicious SMS.
4. Recipient`s Action
When recipients get the message on their device and find the alert and flashy deal in the text they act impulsively and take immediate action. They click the attached link in the SMS that mimics a legitimate site but redirects them to a spoofed website. When they are on the website they disclose all the sensitive information. Also, they call the emergency support number mentioned in the text to get immediate help. But instead of resolving the issue, they end up creating numerous for themselves.
5. Data Collection or Malware Distribution
Attackers achieve their aim of collecting personal information and distributing malware as per the recipient`s reactions. For example, people input their login credentials, and banking details into fake forms and smashers harvest all the sensitive information on the other side. Smishing is also used to distribute malware on the user’s device when the victim clicks the link mentioned in the text. It downloads malicious programs in the device that steal personal data and sensitive information from the device.
6. Exploiting Stolen Data
Once scammers have all the sensitive information with them they exploit it to make unauthorized transactions, carry out financial frauds and leak sensitive business details. Also, they can create fake accounts in the name of victims and promote their malicious operations. They can access business databases and sell or leak all the information to damage the reputation of the company and carry out a wide range of illegal acts.
7. Evasion
Attackers constantly switch phone numbers and devices to avoid detection and prolong their operations. They use high-end spoofing techniques to imitate legitimate entities and bypass spam filters. With the help of this technique, they trick new victims into taking serious steps and stealing money and sensitive data from them.
What are the Different Types of Smishing Attacks?
Smishing attacks come in different shapes and sizes. They use different mediums and channels to target individuals and collect sensitive information from them. Each attack follows a similar pattern of spoofing and disguising the real identity and sending different types of SMS and text notifications claiming to be urgent alerts and important deals. Whenever a user receives these text messages they become surprised and take immediate action. Due to their rush and quick actions, they often lose their valuable data and become a victim of different types of scams. Here are some examples of different types of smishing attacks:
1. Login Credential Theft
Scammers send fake alerts to individuals warning about a security alert that says your account has been breached or someone is trying to access it using another device. Along with this, they share a link that directs to a fake login window when clicked. The text suggests confirming the activity to make sure it is you by filling in the important details in the login window that appears after clicking the attached link in the message. As soon you follow these prompts and fill out all the important details it all goes to the scammers.
For example, you will get a security alert saying that your bank account has been locked due to suspicious activity. If you want to unlock your account then you need to follow the link in the notification and confirm all the details. The sending address looks highly similar to the genuine agency. Upon receiving such an alert victims take no time to act and follow the instructions. Due to these quick decisions, they lose their login credentials at the hands of cybercriminals.
2. Financial Fraud Smishing
Scammers often pose as a bank or financial institute using spoofing tools and tactics. They send fake notifications saying unknown transactions are noted on your account. It suggests that ‘to prevent the money transfer click the link below and block the activity. The link directs the victims to a fake site that asks them to fill out the important details such as credit card details, and transaction pins and passwords. Scammers pick all the details and use them to steal the hard-earned money from the accounts of their targets.
3. Delivery Scams
Deliver scams are another example of smishing attacks in which scammers send package delivery failure notifications to the targets and ask them to click the link in the text to reschedule the delivery. It says that your package is awaiting delivery. Please confirm details by clicking the link attached below. However, when they receive and click the link they end up losing all the important details. They pretend to be trusted package delivery companies such as FedEx, DHL, or USPS. They use burner phones and email-to-text services to replicate as a trusted agency.
4. Prize or Reward Smishing
Scammers use gift cards and offer flashy deals, prizes and huge shopping rewards to lure people into taking quick action and grabbing the deals. For example, the SMS proclaims that you have won a $999 reward as our lucky winner to claim the money please follow the link. However, when the victim clicks the link and confirms all the details to claim the gift the cyberpunks have all the details and leave the scene. Bad actors get all the gift purchase amount along with other sensitive details.
5. Tech Support or Account Recovery Scams
Sometimes Smishers pose as a trusted company`s customer support representative who seems to offer quick solutions to technical and account recovery queries. They disguise themselves as the support providers of global digital companies such as Windows, Apple, Amazon etc. They call you and inform you that there is a serious security error with your account. To resolve the error they send a malicious link. When you click the link to prevent the error and follow the prompts it downloads malware on your device in the guise of a legitimate app. With the help of malware, smishers steal all the data and important passwords from the device.
6. Tax or Government Scams
Scammers impersonate government agencies or income tax department officers. They send sms to intimidate people into paying fines or fees if they do not follow the new tax regulations. The notifications require immediate action from the people to pay the fines and if ignored it threatens to freeze the account. People become nervous seeing tax messages on their devices and can’t resist scratching the itch. They click the URL and pay the fake charges to prevent the account seizure. Fraudsters get the payment and vanish away cutting all the communications.
7. Social Media or Messaging App Scams
Attackers often exploit social media messaging apps to spread malicious URLs and hack important social media access. They send urgent messages to the users to secure the accounts and prevent mishaps. Also, they impersonate your friends and family members on social media accounts and share spoofed links to funny videos and their recent photos. When the user clicks the link it directs him to the malicious website that downloads malware in his phone to spy and steal critical information.
8. Corporate Smishing
In corporate smishing, bad actors disguise themselves as employees of reputed organizations to gain access to internal systems and sensitive business databases. They pretend to be the HR, and senior executives of the companies and request employees to provide credentials to complete an urgent task or approve payments. For example, the text will speak to updating your payroll information by clicking the link below or approving the payment to strike an urgent deal. To do so they share a Bogus URL in the text message and ask the employees to click the link and follow the prompts. However, at the turn of the moment, it turned out to be a scam.
9. Charity or Disaster Relief Scams
Fraudsters leave no stone unturned to fool people and take as much as possible from the victim. They exploit natural disasters and crises to ask for financial help and charities from people to help the affected masses. Their messages often involve an urgent appeal for charity to supply medicines, food and other essentials to help the affected population. People receive a Payment URL that leads them to a spoofed website. Out of goodwill people donate money to help the people. But their charity never reaches those who deserve it. Fraudsters keep all the money with them and never deliver any help to those in whose name they ask for help.
How to Prevent Smishing Attacks?
Text messages are an important channel many agencies, organizations and government authorities use to inform people about different things. It serves as a reliable tool to confirm the identity and different approvals regarding a huge range of online activities. Ignoring them can lead to serious consequences at the turn of the event. But some SMS are spoofed and cybercriminals use them to trick innocent users into making quick decisions that lead to scams. But stop all your worries! Here are some effective safety measures that protect you from smishing attacks:
Don't Take Things for Face Value
It is highly recommended that you do not take things for face value. Whenever you get an SMS from unknown senders containing a suspicious link make sure to confirm their source of origin. Do not click the URL at once or provide any information on the website when you receive one. You can become a victim of online scams or financial fraud. Legitimate organizations rarely ask for sensitive information from their users.
Think Twice Before Clicking
Scammers attach spoofing URLs in the SMS to direct the users to Spoofing websites and distribute malware on their devices. Hence, whenever you receive any suspicious link from an unknown source do not pounce on it at once. Think twice before clicking it. Search about it online and avoid opening it on your device network. Clicking a malicious link can download malware on your device and steal your valuable data.
Never Disclose Personal Data
If someone asks for personal data such as passwords, User ID, credit card details or any sensitive data in the SMS never listen to this. Trusted organizations do not ask you to share your details through text messages. Hence, always remember that you never open up or share your personal data through text messages.
Verify Before You Trust
Always verify messages that seem to come from trusted sources and financial organizations. If you receive any notification or alert regarding unauthorized transactions or logging activity contact the concerned organization directly using the official site or customer support number.
Use Antivirus Software
To avoid malware infection, prevent virus operations and keep your device clean, fast and secure install robust antivirus software on your mobile devices. Antivirus software detects potential threats and protects your operating system, apps and online accounts from a wide range of online attacks. It runs security operations around the clock and keeps you secure from cyber danger.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Double down your online channels using two-factor authentication (2FA) services. It adds an extra layer of security to your device and critical access points. If someone steals your User ID and password he still won’t be able to access the main account due to the 2FA. He will still need an OTP and email confirmation to break into the account. Without the second confirmation, he will not be able to access the main account or do any unauthorized activity.
Keep Your System Updated
You have to keep your system and apps up to date to repair the vulnerabilities and flaws in the software and prevent zero-day attacks. It prevents cybercriminals from infiltrating viruses and ransomware in your device using SMS spoofing. Hence always download the new updates as soon as they are made available. Also, always download the updates from official sources or trusted platforms. Do not use third-party platforms to download the new updates. Smishers often use Spoofing sites and links to lure users and distribute deadly malware on their devices.
Report the Suspicious SMS
Whenever you receive any text message from any unknown or suspicious sender or source report it to the relevant authority. It helps the authorities to deal with the issue and secure others from becoming victims of the scams. Spread the words to your friends and family and mark the message as spam.
Dont Respond to ‘text stop’
Fraudsters send text stop requests to know whether a number is active or not. The text message says that if you want to stop receiving SMS from us write a text stop and send it back to unsubscribe from the service. As soon as you respond to this cybercriminals learn that this number is active. After that, they try everything to trick you and scam you using smishing attacks or social engineering tactics. Hence be wary of text-stop requests.
Knowledge is Power
Last, but not least, stay informed about the latest tactics and scams cybercriminals are using to scam people and commit financial scams. Stay connected to the cybersecurity news to learn about the latest scams and cyber attacks to protect your privacy, personal information and online payment gateways. It helps you to avoid becoming a victim of smishing attacks and stay one step ahead of the Smishers.
