Just when you thought the list of phishing attacks was complete, mishing comes along. According to a new report from Zimperium, mishing is the new cyberattack that we should concerned about because it includes all types of mobile-first techniques. Let’s find out what mishing is and how it works.
What is mishing?
Mishing is short for mobile phishing. It is a form of phishing which focuses on mobile-based attacks These attacks include email phishing (phishing), SMS phishing (smishing), voice phishing (vishing), and QR code phishing (quishing). One of the examples the report provided was that a malicious link in an email would only be triggered if opened on a mobile device, such as a smartphone. Scary stuff.
Why is mishing dangerous?
We use mobile devices, specifically our mobile phones, for practically everything these days. It’s become commonplace to use your phone to stream movies, music, check your emails, scroll social media, and more. However, not everyone considers the security of their phone which could result in cyberattacks and personal information being stolen.
What to look out for
Because mishing is basically any type of phishing specifically on a mobile device, we’ll list a few tips to spot these attacks:
- The message has a suspicious link. The link may look real but is actually a trap. For example: www.paypall-login-verification.com. Always visit the real website instead.
- It feels urgent or pressures you to act fast. Scams will say things like “Your bank account is disabled. Click here to enable your account.” Or “You’ve won a free iPhone! Claim it now!”. Legitimate companies never send urgent messages or call you demanding personal information. Scam alert!
- It’s from an unknown number. A random number, unknown number, or number that looks like it could be someone you know but isn’t stored in your contacts. Rather call the company or person directly.
- Spelling and grammar mistakes. The email or message contains typos or strange grammar mistakes. This is probably a scam.
How you can protect yourself
Here are a few easy checks you can do to protect yourself from these attacks:
- Question everything. Don’t assume. Always verify before reacting or responding to any emails, messages, or calls.
- Do not click the link. Take your time to verify the sender. Even you have any doubt, check the website directly or contact the person for more information.
- Keep your software up to date. As painful as this can be, updates usually fix known security issues on your device. So, run your updates NOW!
Now it’s time to outsmart the mishers!
Mishing scams are everywhere, but now you know what to look out for. Next time you receive a dodgy text, call or email, remember: STOP. THINK. VERIFY.
Don’t let scammers trick you into handing over your info. Share this article with your friends and family. Be secure!
