How Do You Know if a Number Is Safe Enough to Text

While the proper noun of this growing threat might sound funny, being a victim of it is no joke.

Similar to a "phishing" scam — where computer users receive an authentic-looking email that appears to be from their bank, Internet Service Provider (ISP), favorite shop, or other system – "smishing" messages are sent to you via SMS (text bulletin) on your mobile phone.

What does the sender want? To defraud you.

"Criminals like smishing considering users tend to trust text messages, every bit opposed to email, of which many people are more suspicious, due to phishing attacks," says Stephen Cobb, a security researcher at ESET, a global cybersecurity visitor.

"As smartphones are the primary means of accessing the Internet in some countries, this has tempted criminals around the world to invest in scams that target these devices."

"That means at that place is no shortage of skills in this space, skills that criminals can tap to target cellphone users in whatsoever country they chose," Cobb adds.

Related:

Phishing scams: How to get avert getting duped

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Apple problems security update to prevent iPhone spyware

So, what does it look like?

Cybercriminals are trying to lure you into providing account information — such as a login name, password or credit card info — by tapping on a link that takes you to a spider web site. Here they can go plenty info to steal your identity. Or you might be asked to answer questions via text bulletin or advised to call a phone number.

In some cases, you'll receive a text message with a sense of urgency:

• Dear customer, Depository financial institution of America needs you to verify your PIN number immediately to confirm you're the proper account holder. Some accounts have been breached. We urgently ask you to protect yourself by confirming your info hither.

Sometimes, scammers try to capitalize on something timely, like revenue enhancement filing season:

• "IRS Observe: Tax Return File Overdue! Click hither to enter your information to forbid beingness prosecuted."

Or, perchance, it will come up in the form of a more personal note:

• Beautiful weekend coming up. Wanna go out? Sophie gave me your number. Cheque out my profile here: [URL]

Or, you might fall for a smishing scam if you think you lot can win something:

• Your entry terminal calendar month has WON. Congratulations! Go to [URL] and enter your winning lawmaking – 1122 – to claim your $one,000 Best Buy gift carte!

What tin yous do most it?

You can fight "smishing" in a few ways:

* If yous get a suspicious looking text (or email) on your phone and it asks yous to urgently confirm information, it's not coming from a legitimate establishment. Therefore, don't reply and don't tap on the link in the bulletin. Simply delete it. Your bank, financial institution, Internet access provider or favorite online retailer will never ask for sensitive info this mode. When in doubt, contact the company yourself. Even though you might be tempted to striking Respond and tell them to get out you solitary, you're only confirming your phone number is valid, which might invite even more scams.

* Anti-malware ("malicious software") software exists for mobile devices, many of which can detect and stop a smishing attempt. This serves as an actress line of defense force from these malicious types, but you must nevertheless exercise common sense.

ESET, the cybersecurity company Cobb is a researcher for, has a gratuitous Google Play app called ESET Mobile Security & Antivirus. Features include antivirus, remote lock and siren, GPS localization, and tablet support, while upgrading to Premium ($14.99/year) adds SMS and call filters, remote wiping, anti-phishing, photo snapshots (of someone trying to log into your device), and more than.

Other providers of similar software includeNorton Anti-Virus and McAfee. On a related note, exist certain to always update your smartphone's operating system to the latest version.

You're sharing your jail cell telephone number too ofttimes

* Wait for suspicious charges on your monthly phone bill. Fifty-fifty if you never responded to one of these texts, it doesn't injure to look at your itemized charges to run into if at that place's anything that looks off. If it does, contact your phone provider correct away to dispute the charges. Don't worry, they've heard information technology all before. Resist inbound contests that enquire you to provide your mobile number, as you're setting yourself upwards for these kinds of scams. Similarly, don't post your mobile phone number on social media or other public forums.

* When mobile shopping, stick with reputable retailers. When giving out financial data, like your credit carte, always be sure to look for indicators that the site is secure, such as a little lock icon on the browser'southward status bar or a URL for a website that begins "https:" (the "s" stands for "secure"). On a related note, never tap on a link to a retailer to shop online -- but in case information technology's a scam. Instead, manually blazon in the store's URL (eastward.1000. amazon.com) or utilize the shop'southward official app.

Follow Marc on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. Electronic mail him at askmarcsaltzman@gmail.com .

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Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/saltzman/2017/07/03/delete-suspicious-text-messages-on-your-smartphone/439647001/