2021-4 What is Smishing?

It is the evolved version of the phishing and information fraud-oriented phishing attacks that start via email to smartphones via SMS. Phishing attacks are a name composed of a synthesis of the term “Phishing” and the text message service “SMS”.

According to research, users read 98% of the text messages they received and responded to 46%. However, cybercriminals send fake emails aimed at tricking the recipient into opening a malicious attachment or clicking on a malicious link while phishing. These messages can also be SMS messages or WhatsApp messages, as in the examples shown here.

These messages create scenarios enticing you to open a link or attached file, often by convincing you of rewards like gifts or discounts from a shopping site. They also try to convince you to log in with your data or set up an app with messages that appear to be from a cybersecurity site or a smartphone manufacturer to close a new vulnerability.

NEWS OF THE MONTH

Colonial Pipeline, the largest U.S. oil pipeline, was temporarily shut down due to a cyberattack on May 7. The CEO of Colonial Pipeline has confirmed that a $4.4 million ransom has been paid to cyber attackers to open the pipeline. More than half of gas stations in many states were closed in the wake of the attack because drivers were storing gasoline. The attack was reportedly a ransomware attack.

TIP OF THE MONTH

WhatsApp changed the group setting to include “everyone”. So people you don’t know can add you to a group, especially credit card betting chats. To prevent this, you can change your settings:

WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Privacy > Groups a (Everyone) yo (My Contacts)...