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Hackers Gone Smishing: How to Stop Spam Texts

Summary: What is a smishing attack, how does it work and what you can do to protect your small or midsized business (SMB) from spam text messages.

What is a Smishing Attack?

Cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to scam users out of their personal information. One current attack method is called “smishing,” which involves sending spam text messages. These missives pretend to be from reputable companies and try to trick users into sharing private data, such as credit card numbers, banking information and social security numbers. Just as phishing lures users into clicking on embedded links in emails, smishing applies similar hacking techniques to text messages.

Q: What are common signs of a smishing message?

A: Common signs include unexpected requests for urgent action, unfamiliar phone numbers, suspicious links, spelling or grammar errors and messages asking for passwords or payment details. Smishing texts may also claim account problems or missed deliveries to provoke quick responses without careful verification from the recipient.

How Do You Recognize Typical Smishing Scams?

Here are some examples of the most common smishing text messages:

There are thousands of types of smishing attacks being launched every day. It’s easy to see how users receiving such texts could be easily fooled and prompted to click without first analyzing the source of the messages.

Did you ever receive a delivery of a package you know you didn’t order? Or maybe you’ve received monthly subscriptions for things you feel certain you never ordered. Many smishing scams are minor. However, even relatively benign spam texts can lead to more spam texts. Because when you click on the embedded object, you are confirming your phone number is active and, therefore, a target. However, with the increase in mobile work and the addition of smart devices, many smishing scams can have consequences significantly more devastating than getting a new watch you never wanted.

Q: How can small businesses protect against smishing attacks?

A: Small businesses can reduce risk by implementing employee awareness training, enabling multifactor authentication on all accounts, using mobile device management tools and establishing clear verification procedures for financial or sensitive requests. Encouraging employees to report suspicious texts immediately helps prevent widespread damage and strengthens organizational defenses.

Why Do SMBs Need to Know How to Stop Spam Texts?

Every endpoint device in your SMB’s network can be attacked if just one unsuspecting user clicks on an embedded link or phone number in a spam text. Therefore, device security is essential for every endpoint in your network.

The two primary methods for reducing or stopping spam text messages are blocking the contacts or using filters to weed out unknown senders:

In addition, iPhone users can automatically stop unwanted texts by opening “Settings,” scrolling down to “Messages” and clicking on “Filter Unknown Senders.” This option will not delete the message. Instead, it will mark and isolate the message as “Potential Scam.” You can then review the number and decide if it is safe to open.

To automate blocking unwanted texts on Androids, open the messaging app and click on the three-dot menu to open “Settings.” Next, click on “Spam Protection,” then “Enable Spam Protection.”

Q: What should a business do if an employee falls for a smishing scam?

A: If an employee engages with a smishing message, the business should immediately disconnect the affected device from the network, change compromised passwords and notify IT or a security provider. Monitoring financial accounts and systems for unusual activity and documenting the incident are critical steps in minimizing impact and preventing recurrence.

What Should Smishing Victims Do?

Don’t wait for a cyberattack to address device security. Businesses are constantly adding new connected devices, and each one is a potentially vulnerable endpoint that must be locked down before an attack. Every device you add to your business network widens the target landscape for cyberattacks. Therefore, it is essential to hire cybersecurity experts to provide a thorough cyber risk analysis of your entire system and network to ensure you have appropriate protections in place. SMB’s cannot waste time worrying about whether their company data is adequately protected. They must be able to operate their business with the confidence that they have appropriate cybersecurity layers in place.

Q: Why are small businesses targeted by smishing attacks?

A: Small businesses are attractive targets because they often lack advanced cybersecurity resources and formal employee training programs. Attackers know that a single compromised device or credential can provide access to customer data, financial accounts or internal systems, making smaller organizations easier and more profitable to exploit.

How Should Small Businesses Protect Themselves from Smishing?

Cybersecurity consultants have an array of solutions that help protect against cybercrimes. They help businesses establish cybersecurity best practices to ensure their confidential data has the best protection possible and that all network users are on the same page. “Think before you click” must become a company-wide security mantra. Many companies bound by strict compliance and privacy laws such as law firms, medical practices and financial service institutions cannot afford data breaches of any kind.

Reach out if you’re looking for a New York-based cybersecurity provider and learn more about affordable managed cybersecurity for your small business.