Security firm notes sharp increase in SMS phishing attacks
As more users turn to their mobile devices to conduct business, researchers are tracking a significant uptick in SMS phishing attacks that can lead to financial and identity theft.
The scams work by sending victims text messages that direct them to call spurious numbers thought to be banking institutions, credit card services or even government agencies.
Security firm Cloudmark said the new set of attacks began last Tuesday, and since then, researchers are seeing a roughly 900 percent increase in the daily number of SMS phishing attempts compared to before the campaign started. While tactics vary, attackers have primarily sent text messages that appear to be forwarded to victims, and include the message “Attention Required” and a phone number.
