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Do not ignore this warning. Advanced malware attacks make headlines, but this is a more real threat to you and your finances. And it is rapidly increasing…
Please do not ignore this message and delete it
getty
2024 is just around the corner, but dangerous malware warnings have already hit the headlines multiple times. And while most are targeting Android’s more open ecosystem, iPhone users are not immune. As quickly as platforms are tightening their defenses, threat actors seem to be finding more sophisticated ways to penetrate.
This week, the world of smartphones and mobile networks gathered at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona to celebrate all things 5G and AI. But while the smartphone world is changing rapidly, there are some things that stubbornly remain the same.
One of the most rapidly changing technologies is messaging. This year, we’ve seen iMessage get into post-quantum cryptography and Google Messages get into generative AI. And the biggest changes are yet to come. Apple’s reluctant adoption of RCS, expected in the fall, will finally move Android and iPhone messaging beyond its 1990s roots.
But the archaic SMS technology from the 1990s still exists and is built into every smartphone. Even though personal messages have moved to WhatsApp, Telegram, or walled RCS/iMessage IP chats, most of us still use them for delivery reminders, one-time passcodes, bank balance updates, and purchase confirmations. I am.
“Who can stop global SMS fraud? And how?” MWC asked this week. SMS fraud, or smishing (a phishing game that targets text messages rather than email), has been quietly spiking. In the United States alone, he scams smartphone users out of more than $300 million each year, an increase of five times in five years. Approximately 400,000 risky texts are sent every day, and research shows that nearly 40% of all smartphone users receive a risky text.
You’ll know it when you receive them pretending to be from Amazon, Apple, FedEx, or the IRS. When it comes to SMS, there is no equivalent to spam. However, networks are down as much as possible, and today’s smartphones allow you to filter unknown senders.
A shocking ENEA report published this month found that “4.8% of global messaging traffic is fraudulent…This is now pervasive in the messaging ecosystem, with 19.8 billion to 35.7 billion fraudulent messages expected by 2023. Sent…Estimated to cost brands $1.16 billion.” to fraudulent messages. ”
Bitdefender warned last month that “SMS fraud is everywhere, and attackers are always looking for social or political issues they can exploit for profit.” Anyone can become a victim as scams become more sophisticated, including package deliveries, government refunds, and bank credit issues. ”
And the problem is not resolved. “If you think the new RCS messaging standard offers any protection, you’re mistaken,” he says of Bitdefender. These types of scams will continue to be prevalent regardless of the messaging standards used. ”
In reality, the convenience and ubiquity of SMS makes it less secure. It’s in every phone, from the smartest to the simplest, from the newest to the oldest. Works cross-platform, network, and geographically. Also, because we use SMS for so many of our notifications, we don’t disable it or filter what’s sent to us.
I think most people reading this think they can spot a scam and won’t fall for it. And 99 times out of 100, you’re right. Most fraudulent SMS messages are easy to identify and ignore. Either it’s a brand or service you don’t use, or it’s clumsily made. But they only need to catch you once.
“SMS is as simple as it was when it was first delivered, but that simplicity also makes it a prime target for fraudsters,” warns Jake Moore from ESET. “An unknown phone number associated with a text message is more likely to be accepted and much more manipulable than a dubious email address with the same content. It’s no secret that this technology is still so trusted around the world. It’s amazing what’s happening.”
Fraudulent SMS campaigns are pure social engineering. This is a widespread spray attack and attempts to match message to target. People waiting for delivery or refunds, or those whose checks haven’t arrived at their bank. You can jump down the rabbit hole with just a click.
So here are five simple rules.
- Never open and delete SMS from brands you don’t use.
- Never click on links in SMS unless you specifically intend to do so. Even then, we recommend avoiding all links.
- If the message is from your bank, Amazon, Apple, or another brand you use, log in normally and do not select the quick link provided.
- Don’t leave suspicious SMS messages in your inbox. Delete the message and then block the number to prevent further messages.
- Filter unknown senders to separate them from known traffic if possible.Once you get an OTP or update from your account, save the number
“Authenticator apps and encrypted communication channels are much more secure than SMS, which should ideally only be used for quick, one-way updates,” Moore said.
This proliferation of SMS scams makes it even more important to find a solution for the industry. But that’s proving difficult. That said, there are now trusted brand certifications on platforms like WhatsApp and the ability to hide your personal number with Signal, all of which help.
In the meantime: Don’t ignore this message; delete it.
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