Phishing and smishing are both types of cyber attacks that aim to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, financial information, or personal details. Phishing is a type of cyber attack where criminals attempt to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information by posing as a trustworthy entity, typically through email messages. Smishing, on the other hand, is a form of phishing that uses mobile phones as the attack platform, and it is implemented through text messages or SMS.
Here are some key differences between phishing and smishing:
Phishing
- Typically uses email messages to deceive victims into revealing sensitive information
- Often involves sending fraudulent emails and websites meant to steal data
- Can be harder to spot than smishing attacks
Smishing
- Uses mobile phones as the attack platform
- Implemented through text messages or SMS
- Often involves sending bogus text messages that appear to come from a legitimate source, such as a bank or a social media site
Both phishing and smishing attacks rely on exploiting human trust rather than technical exploits, and they can occur on many mobile text messaging platforms, including non-SMS channels like data-based mobile messaging apps. To prevent falling victim to these attacks, it is important to be suspicious of any messages that have some of the characteristics of a fraud, such as a sense of urgency or requests for personal information. Additionally, it is recommended to report any phishing or smishing attempts to the appropriate authorities.
