Instead, keep an eye out for odd numbers, grammar issues, or texts that simply don’t “seem right.” The more alert you are, the more prepared you’ll be against attack. Vishing thrives when cybercriminals have a modicum of information about a users interests. Like with Vishing and Phishing attacks, education is essential to. Don’t panic, but don’t assume every number can be trusted, either. Smishing Attack Infographic: Common Signs of Smishing. If you suspect you’ve been Smished, exercise caution. But there are several common mistakes and tactics that make them easier to identify. Acuity Total Solutions provides complete facility services from IT and Cyber Security to. Better yet, the next time you see Joe in person, simply ask if he’s changed his number. phishing attack, the technique can be more subtle. Like phishing or smishing, vishing relies on convincing victims. Often referred to as voice phishing, cyber criminals use savvy social engineering tactics to convince victims to act, giving up private information and access to bank accounts. For instance, if the number says, “Hey, I’m your friend Joe, this is my new number,” try to contact Joe a different way for proof (like email or social media). Vishing is a cyber crime that uses the phone to steal personal confidential information from victims. Rather, assume that it might be Smishing and take proactive steps to protect yourself. In this form of social engineering attack, fraudsters represent themselves as legitimate representatives. Despite their continuous efforts to secure digital assets, cybercriminals are outsmarting the security perimeters to break into corporate networks. If you don’t recognize a number, don’t dismiss it as Smishing immediately. Vishing, or voice phishing, takes place over the phone. However, you should never call the number that texted you–if it belongs to a cybercriminal, they’ll simply pretend to be your bank before asking for your credentials. For instance, if someone texts you, “Hey, I’m your bank,” look up your bank’s number and give them a call. The first thing to do after receiving a strange message is simple: don’t click on any links in that message, and don’t respond to it! Instead, think through ways to prove–or disprove–its validity. What Can I do if I Suspect I’ve Been Smished? It’s better to be overcautious than to assume every text is coming from a trustworthy source. But if a message exhibits any of these traits, exercise caution. Of course, these elements on their own aren’t enough to prove you’ve been attacked. And when it comes to Smishing, specifically, poor grammar, scary content, and unknown numbers are all indications that you’re being targeted. The defences suggested in this guidance are also useful against other types of cyber attack, and will help your organisation become more resilient overall. If you know what to look out for, you’re more likely to recognize and avoid it. Like with Vishing and Phishing attacks, education is essential to identifying and stopping Smishing.

Cyber security infographic vishing