The newest ruse called “smishing” is a variation of phishing where cyber thugs use SMS text messaging to target mobile banking customers. Several articles suggest that we are in the early stages of mobile threats and that cyber criminals are still figuring out the best way to gain access to your personal information via cell phone.
Malware, which is short for malicious software, is still the most pervasive fraud out there and can attack any computer through e-mail or poisoned Web downloads. This is how criminals take control of your computer and ultimately your finances.
Obviously, mobile banking is becoming more and more common. Criminals know this and will become very efficient at digging for your information. Please make sure you and your friends are aware of this situation and if you receive a text that says it’s from your bank and to call the 1-800 number, go to your bank’s website to get the contact info, don’t just call the number provided in the text… You might get “smished”. Your bank will never text you for the purpose of soliciting information.
Guest Blog by Tim M