The threat of the Week:

Smishing - Sneaky Text Message Scams

This week on Fortress Friday, we face a foe that might slip past your guard: Smishing. Smishing is a cybersecurity threat that uses SMS (text messages) to try and steal your personal information or trick you into clicking malicious links.

How it Works:

Smishing messages can appear to come from various sources, often impersonating legitimate businesses, banks, or even government agencies. They might:

• Create a sense of urgency: The message might claim your account is suspended, there's suspicious activity, or you're due a refund.
• Offer a tempting reward: The message might entice you with a prize, discount, or free gift.
• Threaten negative consequences: The message might warn of legal action, service termination, or financial penalties if you don't respond immediately.

The goal is to get you to click on a link in the message, which could lead to a phishing website designed to steal your login credentials, credit card information, or other sensitive data.

How to Defend Yourself:

• Don't Click on Links in Suspicious Texts: Verify the sender by calling the legitimate organization directly, using a phone number you know is correct (not one provided in the text).
• Be Wary of Urgent Requests: Legitimate institutions won't pressure you into immediate action via text message.
• Don't Share Personal Information Over Text: Banks, credit card companies, and other official sources won't ask for sensitive information through text messages.
• Report Smishing Attempts: Forward suspicious messages to your phone carrier (usually by texting SPAM to 7726) to help them track and block scammers.

By staying alert and following these tips, you can protect yourself from smishing scams and keep your personal information safe.

Bonus Tip: Consider enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification code in addition to your password when logging in.