Contact us today!
866-348-2602

Total Tech Care Blog

Total Tech Care has been serving Florida since 2001, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

You Even Need To Worry About Phishing In Your Text Messages

You Even Need To Worry About Phishing In Your Text Messages

As serious as they are, cyberattacks are not always labeled with the most serious-sounding names. We are, of course, talking about phishing: the use of spoofed email addresses and fraudulent messages to get hold of data, or whatever goal the attacker has in mind. One of the silliest-sounding versions of phishing—smishing—has proven to be of particular risk.

What is Smishing?

When cybercriminals use phishing scams, they aren’t using advanced technologies to crack their target’s digital defenses. Instead, they hack users by exploiting the assumptions, bad habits, and ignorance of the target to get them to release sensitive information.

Attackers circumvent cybersecurity measures by sending messages purporting to be from an authority figure or trusted contact, thereby convincing the user to undermine their protection. A notorious example of phishing is the email from the persecuted royal family, known as the "Nigerian Prince scam."

Smishing simply applies this principle to SMS instead of the usual email.

You could simply receive an SMS from a number that claims to be a financial institution or service provider, or even if you are doing business with that institution.

This message could contain details that confirm that the sender is who they purport to be, or it could go unnoticed because it is not the kind of message that most people expect to be phished through. More recently, many of these attacks have been sent under the ruse of being from authorities trying to share information about the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is a possibility that a link may be included in the message asking you to log in, but the problem is that this will lead you back to a fraudulent login page where the user’s actual login data is collected. It may prompt you to download a document that hides a variety of malicious programs, and suddenly the attacker has access to all your personal information, such as your phone number, email address, credit card numbers, bank account credentials and other sensitive information.

It's as simple as that.

Now, think for a moment about how much sensitive data you're likely to keep on your phones and what data a hacker might extract from them.

Spotting a Smishing Message

To prevent this from affecting your business, your entire team must be able to detect phishing attempts as soon as they are sent via SMS.

  • Just as with suspected phishing emails, opening a suspected smishing message is extremely risky. If the sender is not familiar to you, do not open the message and definitely do not access any links included.
  • If you cannot verify the legitimacy of the message, do not release sensitive information. If you receive a text message from Facebook informing you of a problem with your account, access Facebook separately to confirm before you resolve it.
  • Some mobile devices can block texts, just like email clients can filter messages. So, make sure you block phone numbers that are suspected of phishing and apply settings that might be helpful.

As a final tip, you need to make sure your entire organization keeps an eye on security during the workday and that they know how to identify and respond to threats.

Of course, it does not hurt to apply certain preventative measures to your network, such as anti-virus, firewall protections, and others. We can help! Total Tech Care can support your team in its IT requirements for security, productivity, and mobility. Find out about our services by contacting 866-348-2602.

 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Wednesday, 25 December 2024
If you'd like to register, please fill in the username, password and name fields.

Blog Archive

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

  • First Name *
  • Last Name *

      Free Consultation

      Sign up today for a
      FREE Network Consultation

      How secure is your IT infrastructure?
      Let us evaluate it for free!

      Sign up Now!

      Free Consultation
       

      Tag Cloud

      Security Tip of the Week Technology Best Practices Business Computing Cloud Privacy Hackers Productivity Hosted Solutions Software Efficiency Network Security Business Google Microsoft Internet Email Malware Backup Workplace Tips Innovation User Tips Data Computer Mobile Devices Hardware IT Services Disaster Recovery Android VoIP communications IT Support Business Continuity Smartphones Communication Miscellaneous Smartphone Mobile Device Browser Small Business Network Collaboration Productivity Cybersecurity Quick Tips Users Business Management Managed IT Services Windows Upgrade Phishing Ransomware Data Backup Outsourced IT Windows 10 Data Recovery Office Server Save Money Cloud Computing Windows 10 Passwords Virtualization Gadgets Saving Money Holiday Tech Term Chrome Social Media Managed IT Services Managed Service Automation Microsoft Office Cybercrime Computers Artificial Intelligence Operating System Facebook Health Internet of Things BYOD Mobile Device Management Wi-Fi Networking IT Support Hacking Covid-19 Information Alert Spam Office 365 Telephone Systems Managed Service Provider Information Technology Remote Router Employer-Employee Relationship Recovery BDR Bandwidth Social Engineering Mobility Human Resources Law Enforcement Mobile Computing Data Breach Application Remote Monitoring Password Money App History Big Data Encryption Applications Data Storage Patch Management Government Blockchain Paperless Office Remote Computing Private Cloud Mobile Office Managed IT Apps How To Office Tips Training VPN Settings Flexibility Vulnerability Avoiding Downtime Windows 7 Marketing Word Two-factor Authentication WiFi IT solutions Entertainment Website Servers Mouse Budget HaaS Bring Your Own Device Infrastructure Data Management Data Security Work/Life Balance Voice over Internet Protocol Wireless Google Drive Gmail Conferencing Keyboard Firewall Scam Vendor Virtual Reality Managed Services Apple Telephone System Staff Software as a Service Display Machine Learning Social Vendor Management Save Time USB Remote Work Connectivity User Error Employee/Employer Relationship Meetings RMM Cleaning Risk Management Hacker End of Support Education Physical Security The Internet of Things Data Protection Safety Lithium-ion battery Sports HIPAA Redundancy Customer Service CES Help Desk Proactive IT Unified Threat Management Environment Printing Computer Accessories Fax Server Best Practice Business Technology Content Management Business Intelligence YouTube Access Control Managed Services Provider Black Market Audit Worker Virtual Assistant SaaS IT Management Database Authentication Botnet Printer Document Management Remote Workers Bluetooth IT Plan Solid State Drive Network Congestion Wireless Technology How to Processor eWaste Downtime Unsupported Software Update Charger Hard Drive Data storage Automobile IT Consultant Google Docs Identity Theft Compliance Computer Care Wearable Technology OneNote Humor Retail Current Events Hard Drives Computing Computing Infrastructure Telephony Going Green Instant Messaging Samsung Excel Robot Augmented Reality Fraud Biometrics Value Battery Virtual Desktop Shadow IT Remote Worker Digital Signage Legal Spam Blocking Electronic Medical Records Cryptocurrency DDoS Internet Exlporer SharePoint Hiring/Firing Procurement PDF Net Neutrality Workplace Strategy Comparison Virus Windows Media Player Assessment File Sharing Employees Employee/Employer Relationships User Relocation PowerPoint Specifications ISP Windows Server 2008 Camera Windows 365 Inventory Wire Video Conferencing Evernote Video Games ROI Tools Antivirus Television Windows 8 Sales Worker Commute Bitcoin Managing Stress Travel Shortcuts Millennials Cryptomining IT service Printers Point of Sale Experience Personal Smart Office Supply Chain Management Wireless Charging Scalability Cameras Public Computer Tablet Monitoring Business Owner Batteries Workforce Regulations Domains NarrowBand Virtual Private Network Windows 8.1 Transportation Digitize Cables Search Windows Server 2008 R2 Computer Fan Rootkit Maintenance Customer relationships IaaS iPhone Telecommuting Manufacturing Workers Bloatware Project Management Email Best Practices Benefits Nanotechnology IT Assessment Cortana Printer Server FENG IBM Tablets Computer Tips Digital Signature Managed IT Service Files Security Cameras Biometric Security Flash Chromecast Entrepreneur Warranty Virtual CIO Smart Technology OneDrive HVAC Peripheral Google Apps Software Tips Shortcut Uninterrupted Power Supply Supercomputer Digital Security Cameras Analysis Using Data Colocation 5G Sync Emails Cost Management Administrator Devices Copiers Enterprise Content Management Quick Tip Monitor Social Networking MSP Ergonomics Accountants Smartwatch Credit Cards OLED Netflix Microchip Two Factor Authentication Thought Leadership Development Password Management PCI DSS Password Manager Virtual Machine Running Cable Reputation Root Cause Analysis Streaming Media HBO Tech Support Knowledge Memory 2FA Music Content Fiber Optics Multi-Factor Security Employee Techology Cabling Consultant Skype Laptop Search Engine Twitter Messaging NIST Policy Business Mangement Hypervisor Customers Analytics Data loss Outlook Leadership Dark mode Troubleshooting Smart Tech Audiobook Trend Micro Trending SMS Amazon Default App Best Available Start Menu Touchpad Addiction Loyalty Science Procedure Recycling Saving Time WIndows 7 Screen Mirroring Google Search Frequently Asked Questions Wiring dark theme Books Practices Politics Shopping Advertising AI Amazon Web Services IT Infrastructure Mobile Windows 10s Cache Safe Mode FinTech Criminal Distributed Denial of Service Bing Cast Customer Relationship Management Notifications Tip of the week webinar Analyitcs GDPR Emergency Hosted Computing Social Network Online Shopping Investment Professional Services Public Cloud Programming Employer Employee Relationship Wireless Internet

      Top Blog

      The reasoning for this is simple: you want to make sure that operations are proceeding as intended, even if you’re not there. If you completely check out from the workplace every time you leave, you could return from your vacation to a complete and total disaster that may have been prevented with y...
      QR-Code