Don’t let smishing scams ruin your Christmas holidays, Queensland Police say!
By now we’ve all most likely heard of phishing scams, but what is "smishing" I hear you collectively ask?
Our gift to you this week as part of the "12 posts of Christmas" is the definition, along with how to avoid becoming "smooshed" (ok, that term isn’t exactly technically correct, but it really did get your attention).
"Smishing" scams – just like a phishing email, except sent via SMS.
Smishing is a security attack in which the user is tricked into downloading a Trojan horse, virus or other malware onto their phone or other mobile device.
The SMS messages are short and to-the-point, containing URLs that direct the recipient to fake mobile websites which are almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
Most ‘smishing’ attacks provide a link which if clicked, may take you to a dangerous website, asking you to complete personal information which can be used to hack your online (email or banking) accounts.
R U in Control this Christmas?
R U in Control of your personal information?
Do not reply to SMS messages from anyone you do not know.
Do not reply to any SMS message that requests any identifying information.
If the SMS message claims to be from your bank, energy provider or ISP, ring them first using a phone number from their legitimate website.
Be wary of SMS messages urging you to "act now so you don’t miss out" or "click on this or you will get locked out". Cybercriminals often create a sense of urgency to get you to click the link.
Do not click on any links contained in an SMS message unless it is from a trusted source.
This Christmas stay in control of your personal information and think before you click that link.
