Smishing: a rapidly growing cyberattack

Smishing, a contraction of the English words "SMS" and "phishing," is a form of cyberattack that involves sending fraudulent messages via SMS to obtain victims' confidential information.

Individuals primarily targeted by smishing are often people who frequently use their mobile phones to carry out online transactions or who have significant access to sensitive information.

The risks associated with smishing are numerous, ranging from identity theft to major financial losses, as well as the spread of malware on victims’ devices. The scale of SMS scams worldwide is phenomenal, with thousands of victims falling into the fraudsters’ traps every year.

Financial losses related to smishing are estimated at millions of euros each year, making it one of the most dangerous and lucrative forms of scam on the internet. Unfortunately, many people are still susceptible to clicking on fraudulent links sent via SMS, due to lack of vigilance or ignorance of the risks.

Measures taken by authorities to combat smishing

National and international authorities are implementing preventive actions to fight smishing, such as awareness campaigns and collaborations with telecommunications operators. Telecom operators are also taking measures to counter SMS attacks by blocking fraudulent numbers and enhancing network security.

Tips to protect yourself from smishing

To protect yourself from smishing, it is important never to click on suspicious links, never share personal information via SMS, and to contact authorities immediately if in doubt. Finally, it is crucial to stay vigilant against fraudulent messages received by SMS, by verifying the sender’s identity and being wary of urgent or overly enticing requests. Only these precautions can protect you from the dangers of smishing.