As BYOD (bring your own device) becomes the norm in business, and more employees use personal smartphones for work – especially for texting — cyberattacks on these devices are rising. The most common threat, known as smishing, is a deceptive SMS message that targets a victim’s mobile device to steal sensitive information, click malicious links or download malware and applications.

Attackers craft a scan SMS for phishing threats message that mimics legitimate communication from trusted institutions, such as banks or government agencies. They often convey a sense of urgency, warning of suspicious account activity or a lost payment. They may also impersonate customer support from tech and retail companies, urging victims to click a link or call a fake helpline to provide sensitive data or payment details.

Live Malicious IP Lists: Keeping Up With Active Threats

Scammers can also pose as toll collection agencies, claiming that the victim owes unpaid road tolls. They may even pretend to be law enforcement, threatening legal action or fines if the victim doesn’t immediately pay up or take a specific action.

Attackers typically send these messages using spoofing tools, masking the source of their true phone number and location with a fake one. They might also use “burner phones,” which are cheap, prepaid cellular devices that allow attackers to keep their real phone number private and anonymous. Attackers can then sell the stolen information on the dark web or use it to commit other crimes, such as unauthorized transactions or identity theft. SMS filtering, antiphishing tools and multifactor authentication can help protect users from smishing attacks. Regular awareness and training sessions can empower people to recognize these threats. It’s also important to establish clear channels for people or organizations to report suspicious communications, so that security teams can issue alerts when necessary.