Phishing, Smishing, & Vishing, What’s the Difference?

Phishing attacks. You’ve probably heard it somewhere and chances are, you know it's not good for you. In fact, millions have lost their hard-earned money through such attacks. Also common nowadays are Smishing and Vishing, which are also becoming common, and sadly, deadly.

Sometimes, it can get confusing especially when cybersecurity experts keep dropping such jargon. In a nutshell, phishing attacks, as well as their variants Smishing and Vishing, are malicious activities that exploit human psychology and technology vulnerabilities to steal sensitive information, such as personal data or financial details. 

Phishing is an unsolicited attempt to steal your sensitive data through emails. In most cases, it involves impersonating real brands and including links that infect your devices with malware.

Smishing on the other hand is where scammers use text messages or popular messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Slack to steal your data. 

Vishing involves scammers using phone calls or voicemails to tempt you into revealing your personal information such as your social security number or bank information.

Now then, shall we look at each in depth and see how we can better protect ourselves?

1. Phishing Scams

The main goal of phishing is to steal your data and/or identity theft. It's one of the most reported scams in the world but sadly, people still lose money. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that over $52 million was lost to phishing scams in 2022. 

Why Phishing Scams Persist Amidst Increased Consumer Awareness

In many instances, scammers often use sophisticated methods to steal from people. However, when it comes to phishing attacks, a simple, fairly straightforward email can do the trick. Here are some of the reasons why your phishing attacks still persist;

• Scammers are relentless

With an estimated 3 billion spam emails sent each day, scammers are relentless with phishing attacks. Their hope is that someone might click, by mistake on one of the emails, and bang, they have access.

• Impersonating big brands

Scammers know that by mimicking well-known and trusted brands, they can exploit the trust and credibility associated with those brands to their advantage. Hence, in their email, they will do all they can including logos, trademarks, and even lookalike email addresses. If you are not too careful, you can easily confuse the same with the real brand.

For instance, we reported scammers are sending “Suspicious Account Activity” impersonating Amazon. They account a whopping more than one-quarter of all the reports that Amazon receives.

• Automation

Phishing attacks are often automated, allowing cybercriminals to target thousands or millions of potential victims at once. This volume ensures that even a small percentage of successful phishing attempts can yield significant gains for attackers.

• Social engineering

Phishing relies on social engineering techniques that manipulate human psychology. Attackers exploit emotions like fear, curiosity, or urgency to make people act quickly without thinking. Even aware consumers can fall victim when faced with a compelling scenario.

2. Smishing Scams

Just like emails, SMS is very common in our day-to-day lives running into billions. However, lurking behind this sheer volume are scammers who want to sneak a link or two to unsuspecting customers.

Here are some of the common smishing scams;

• Employment scams

Oftentimes, scammers will prey on job searchers' desperations to steal from them. They do this by impersonating big companies with false job offers resulting in users sending sensitive data or clicking on malicious links.

• Urgent Messages

Any message, SMS or otherwise, that prompts you to act immediately should be treated with caution. From your loved ones being involved in accidents to “click the link today to avoid a late fee,” scammers want you to act unreasonably fast. They know, the faster you do it, the less likely you are to do your due diligence.

• Redirecting Messages

There are cases where scammers will redirect you to a different website with the idea of stealing your information. The URL webpage is in full control of the scammers and the minute you key in your sensitive data, they will steal it. Scammers have gotten better with impersonation scams and might trick you into thinking you are on the right website only for you to lose your money.

• Impersonating Loved Ones

Imagine a mother, sitting by her phone, when a message arrives. It appears to be from her son, but it's not. The message says he lost his phone and needs money for a new one and a ride home. Sadly, this is just a made-up story scammers use to trick parents into sending them money.

It’s not just parents who receive such kind of SMS, everyone is susceptible to such messages and, with whatever story you can imagine. The best thing to do is to reach out to the said person to verify the story. Avoid panicking or sending money straightaway without knowing the whole picture.

Source: Pixabay

3. Vishing Scams

Vishing is a cyber-attack where scammers use phone calls and voicemails to get your sensitive information. They might pretend to be someone from a reputable company or bank to gain your trust. They'll ask for personal details like your birthday or social security number, which they can misuse to access your private accounts and data.

Vishing attacks, also known as voice phishing, have become increasingly rampant for several reasons. Let’s take a look at each of them;

• Social Engineering Tactics

Scammers have honed their social engineering tactics, making it easier for them to manipulate individuals over the phone. They often play on emotions like fear, urgency, or trust, coaxing victims into sharing their sensitive information.

• Use of Tech

Furthermore, the use of technology has made it simpler for scammers to mask their true identities, allowing them to impersonate legitimate organizations convincingly. Call spoofing, a technique that enables attackers to display false caller ID information, is frequently used to enhance the deception. This technology allows scammers to make it appear as if their calls are coming from trusted sources, thereby gaining the victim's trust.

• A Wide Reach

The global reach of vishing is another factor, as attackers can target victims from around the world, making it challenging for law enforcement to combat these crimes effectively. This widespread scope allows vishing attacks to persist and evolve, making them a significant threat to individuals and organizations worldwide.

• Low Costs

Lastly, the relative ease and low cost of executing vishing attacks, combined with the potential for high financial rewards, continue to incentivize scammers to pursue this form of fraud. As a result, individuals and organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in their efforts to educate, raise awareness, and implement strong security measures to combat the persistence of vishing attacks.

Final Verdict: Protecting yourself from Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing

Shielding yourself from these deceptive tactics doesn't require advanced technical knowledge. Here are some easy-to-follow tips that anyone can understand and implement:

• Verify Before You Trust

Always double-check the sender's identity. Don't click on links or provide personal information to unsolicited emails, texts, or calls. If in doubt, contact the organization directly using official contact information.

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Turn on 2FA wherever possible, as it adds an extra layer of security. Even if a scammer has your password, they are less likely to access your account without the second factor. Additionally, refrain from sharing your one-time password (OTP) with anyone to prevent them from having access.

• Educate Your Family

Share your knowledge with family members, especially older or less tech-savvy individuals who might be more vulnerable to these scams. Encourage open communication and support one another in recognizing and avoiding such threats.

• Don't Share Personal Information

Avoid sharing sensitive information, such as your Social Security number, bank details, or passwords over the phone, email, or text, unless you are absolutely certain of the recipient's identity.

• Report Suspected Scams

Scams are the least reported crime with only 7% of the victims reporting scams according to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA). If you encounter a phishing, smishing, or vishing attempt, report it to the relevant authorities or organizations. This helps in tracking down and stopping scammers.

• Regularly Check Your Accounts

Monitor your bank and email accounts for any suspicious activity. The quicker you spot a breach, the faster you can take action to minimize potential damage.

• Trust Your Instincts 

If something feels off or too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use emotions and urgency to rush you into making hasty decisions. Take your time to think and verify before taking any action.

Image Source: Pixabay