Hackers are trying to steal your money and data by sending fake texts prompting you to follow harmful links or give private information.
mobile phone hacker or cyber scam concept
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“Smishing” is the latest phishing cybersecurity attack, and it’s striking through your phone. Smishing is when hackers try to steal your data—or money—through a text message. The text message attempts to dupe you into following a link or revealing personal details or login information.

Hackers may try to gain access to your bank account or social media accounts. Security experts advise people to keep their phone’s software and web browser updated to help protect against smishing attacks. Many smishing attacks will get blocked by security features already built into your phone, Wired.com says.

Here are some common smishing attacks to watch out for:

  • Beware of links that come to you on an SMS text message. They may look like they’re from a company website or social media network. You’ll be asked to enter your username and password, but they will log you into a fake website instead.
  • Another SMS text message may try to get you to download an app or run it on your web browser. Many phones will block malware apps automatically, but not all. You should still watch out for such messages, Wired.com warns.
  • A text message may ask you directly for personal or financial information. The message may ask that you reply to a text with your bank details or login information to a website.
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