Overview
These attacks use deceptive text message content to trick users into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links. SMS-based phishing (or "smishing") attacks exploit the trust users place in their mobile devices. There is a false assumption that texts are secure, when in fact whether the transmission is secure or not has no bearing on what is being written or included in the text. Attackers send fraudulent text messages that appear to come from legitimate sources, such as banks, online retailers, or service providers. Smishing messages often contain a sense of urgency or enticing offers to manipulate users into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive information. Once a user engages, attackers can steal login credentials, install malware, or redirect them to fake websites. Smishing attacks can be delivered via SMS, iMessage, or other messaging platforms. They may use techniques like number spoofing or short URLs to obscure malicious intent.
Risk factors
SMS/text-based phishing attacks can arise from:
- Lack of awareness about phishing schemes.
- Absence of link verification in messages.
- Over-reliance on SMS for two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Poorly implemented SMS filtering mechanisms.
- Social engineering tactics that exploit emotional triggers, such as fear of account suspension or urgent payment demands.
Consequences
If an attacker successfully conducts SMS/text-based phishing attacks, the following could happen:
- Credential theft: Usernames, passwords, or payment information can be stolen.
- Malware infection: Clicking on malicious links can install spyware, ransomware, or banking trojans targeting sensitive data.
- Financial fraud: Attackers can use stolen information to make unauthorized transactions.
Solutions and best practices
To mitigate the risks associated with SMS/text-based phishing attacks, organizations should implement the following security measures:
- User education: Train users to recognize suspicious messages and avoid clicking on unknown links
- Link verification: Use URL scanning tools to validate links before clicking.
- App security: Implement strong in-app messaging systems to reduce reliance on SMS for sensitive communication.
- Advanced filtering: Deploy spam filters and machine learning-based tools to detect phishing messages.
- Enhanced 2FA: Use app-based authenticators instead of SMS for two-factor authentication.
- Secure channels: Use secure communication channels (e.g., in-app notifications or encrypted messaging) for sensitive interactions, with the understanding that using secure communication channels alone won’t mitigate the attack.
