Smishing is probably the cutest name for a cybersecurity attack I've ever heard, but it doesn't make it any less dangerous. It's clear to me we're not talking enough about this mashup of SMS texting and phishing or educating people on how to recognize and respond to it. For the past few months, I've been the target of multiple, aggressive smishing attacks that might fall under the heading of "long-lost friend or acquaintance.
" These social engineering phishing attempts invariably come from various unknown phone numbers via standard green bubble SMS on my , usually with a short, friendly, and inquisitive message. They arrive with names like Mia, Diana, and Alyssa. Usually, they claim we've met before.
Mia told me she stumbled on my number in her address book, implying we had met, perhaps at an event, and exchanged contact info. I meet a lot of people in my line of work but rarely hand out my phone number. In fact, I don't even carry business cards.
I tell people to me, and they will quickly figure out how to contact me. Sometimes, these smishers act as if we bumped into each other in a hallway, and, out of an abundance of politeness, they introduce themselves and want to know my name. That was Diana's approach, who texted me, "My name is Diana.
What's your name?" I see you coming My scam detection alert system is probably set higher than most people, so I don't fall for these come-ons. That said, I am curious not so much about what they want (my personal details, including ban.