What is smishing and phishing?

Phishing and smishing are techniques used by criminals to deceive you into sharing personal financial information.

Criminals seek information such as credit card numbers, bank account details, social security numbers, passwords, and other sensitive data. They use this information to steal your money or impersonate you to open new loans or credit accounts.

Phishing collects information through email messages, while smishing does so via SMS text messages sent to your phone.

Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Smishing is a form of phishing that uses SMS (text messages) to cheat individuals into disclosing important information or downloading malicious content. The attackers often pose as trusted sources, such as banks, delivery services, or government agencies, and craft messages that appear legitimate to the victim. These messages typically create a sense of importance, pushing the receiver to take immediate action without thinking. Smishing messages often contain links that, when clicked, lead to phishing websites designed to steal information or install malware on the victim’s device.

Example:

A smishing attack might look like this:

• “Your bank account has been locked due to suspicious activity. Click here to verify your details: [malicious link].”
  In this case, the attacker uses the text message to trick the victim into clicking the link, which might lead to a fake banking website where the victim is asked to enter their account details.

Phishing

Phishing is a broader type of cyberattack that uses emails or fake websites to trick individuals into providing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. In phishing attacks, the email or website often appears to be from a trusted source like a bank, a popular online store, or a government agency. The aim is to cheat the victim into clicking a malicious link, downloading an attachment, or entering personal information on a fraudulent website. Phishing attacks may also include attachments that contain malware.

Example:

A phishing email might look like this:

• “Dear Customer, your account has been compromised. Please click the link below to reset your password immediately: [fake link].”
  Here, the email looks like it comes from a legitimate company, such as a bank or an online retailer, but the link directs the victim to a counterfeit website designed to steal login credentials.

Key Differences Between Smishing and Phishing

• Delivery Method:
  • Smishing occurs via SMS (text messages) on mobile devices.
  • Phishing typically occurs through email or fake websites.
• Target Platform:
  • Smishing targets mobile phone users.
  • Phishing targets users on desktops, laptops, and email platforms.
• Common Tactics:
  • Smishing often uses a sense of urgency in text messages (e.g., account locked, urgent delivery issue).
  • Phishing uses similar tactics in emails but may also include fake forms, attachments, or links that lead to phishing sites.

Both smishing and phishing depend on manipulating the victim into acting without considering the consequences. It’s important to be careful with unwelcome messages, especially those asking for sensitive information. Always verify the sender or the link before taking any action.

Read More:

What is the difference between phishing and smashing?

What is spear phishing in cyber security?

Think Before You Click! Understanding Social Engineering Attack

What might be a Phishing Message?