I have mentioned phishing in previous posts. Today we visit it again. This time we see it in a very different light. Let’s get a working definition of phishing once again though. Phishing according to Wikipedia, is the “criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication”. So its using false pretenses and info to coax your personal info out of you, and then obviously use that intimate information for monetary gains.
As I said, phishing has taken on a new form. It was of course, only a matter of time. Phishing has now evolved into Smishing. The simplest explanation is taking it’s mobile phishing. Phishing for the cellular phone users as it were. The concept is the same, only now they are using texting. This is where the name comes from. SMS is the technical name for text messages. So the name is then derived from “SMs phISHING”.
What these criminals do is text you something like these:
- “We’re confirming you’ve signed up for our dating service. You will be charged $2/day unless you cancel your order on this URL: www.?????.com.”
- “(Name of popular online bank) is confirming that you have purchase a $1500 computer from (name of popular computer company). Visit www.?????.com if you did not make this online purchase”
- “(Name of a financial institution): Your account has been suspended. Call ###.###.#### immediately to reactivate”
After which, you are always prompted to enter in your info at a ‘credible’ website and then get to watch your credit/finances go to hell in a hurry.
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