@Marilyn 27 December 2024

Phishing through Text Messages "Congratulations! You have won $100. You may claim your prize here: <prize.link>. Currently, in the Philippines, lots of people are experiencing receiving text messages from an unknown name numbers. Most people rely on technology in their daily lives, specifically in the usage of phones. When you want to talk to someone far away, instead of a letter that will take weeks or even months to get a reply back, a few clicks away is there to have a response within seconds. These digital gadgets offer convenience and connectivity as they bring entertainment and help to us and to other people. However, they also expose us to digital threats including phishing through text messages. Suspicious links are not just done with emails just like before, they are now sent through messages as well. Cyber criminals craft convincing messages designed to provoke the victim to click on the link and provide necessary information needed to get into their personal bank accounts. Somehow, clicking on the link alone can already install malicious software to the individual's phone, leading to unauthorized data collection without the victim knowing. Most of the common attacks include the already mentioned Prize scams. I remember the time an app called GCash show us the name of the person that owns a specific phone number whenever we want to send money to them, leading to dozens of text messages who has our full name claiming we won something. It led to the app not exposed the whole name but rather the first initials of the registered name alone. Scammers will really find a way to get creative and innovative to get more people and to trick more, especially to those who don't have knowledge in terms of the modern technology. Some of the attempts to recognize an online attack is a generic greetings. Wherein instead of the message containing some form of recognition like name or number, it's a generic greeting like "Dear customer". You may have recognized these type of opening notes on subscription emails from a website or when you transfer money from your back account to another. These legit emails or text messages know your information and they provide security so they often greet or provide a "unique" information about you. However, the best type of avoiding these attacks is to not click links or go to websites that are suspicious and are not secured. Do not engage with them or do not reply to their messages as their legitimacy will always be questionable. Although some sites are under the https link, some are still not secured. So instead of proceeding to the link, find ways to examine the link. Always educate yourself to things you have no idea about. As always, "Think first before you click."