When cybercriminals "phish," they send fraudulent emails that seek to trick the recipient into clicking on a malicious link. Smishing simply uses text messages instead of email. In essence, these cybercriminals are out to steal your personal data, which they can then use to commit fraud or other cybercrimes.
No, you cannot be hacked simply by replying to a text message. However, if the text contains a link, clicking on it could direct you to a malicious website designed to steal your personal information, or it could automatically download malware onto your device.
Typically, text scammers have three goals: Getting you to click on a link that downloads malware onto your device. Once infected, hackers can spy on you, steal your passwords and sensitive information, or lock you out and demand a ransom. Sending you to phishing sites that steal your personal information.
Can someone steal your information through a text? No—unless you hit a link included in the text. To avoid getting hacked, do not hit any link that comes with a text or email—unless you are absolutely sure of the sender's identity.
While just receiving a spam text is an annoyance, replying or engaging with one in any way can put you in serious danger of financial fraud, identity theft, or hacking.
BBB Tips to Stay Safe From Romance/Phishing Scams
Never click on an unsolicited text message or email. Delete the message.
Clicking a phishing link in a spam text message can open your phone to security threats. If you don't enter any information or accept any downloads, your data may be safe. On the other hand, it's possible that suspicious files and malware were downloaded to your device through that malicious link.
Scammers send fake text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information — things like your password, account number, or Social Security number. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers.
If you do get a message that might be suspicious, even ones that say you can text STOP to end the communications, the FCC says to not respond, and block any messages that come in, and the related phone numbers or emails. Additionally, FCC provides these tips to protect yourself and your private information.
Key takeaways: SMS messaging is not a secure way to send information, but you can use safer systems, such as third-party apps. It is highly unlikely that encryption can be removed from messages. Secure all parts of your operation from messaging to upgrading yournetwork security softwareto implementing a new firewall.
Such apps can be used to remotely view text messages, emails, internet history, and photos; log phone calls and GPS locations; some may even hijack the phone's mic to record conversations made in person. Basically, almost anything a hacker could possibly want to do with your phone, these apps would allow.
Code to verify if your phone is being tracked
Use these codes if you suspect cybercriminals are tapping or tracking your Android — enter *#*#4636#*#* or *#*#197328640#*#* via the dialer pad.
These messages are spam texts, also known as robotexts. The fact is, most spam texts don't come from another mobile phone. They usually come from a scammer who is sitting behind a computer sending a massive amount of texts from an email address or other messaging account.
The Rule of Response: Always respond, unless you don't want to be friends with that person anymore. Yes, we are all busy people, and I know it's sometimes hard to respond when you know it will probably end up as a full on text conversation, but you should always respond.
Should I Respond To Text Messages From Unknown Numbers? This is the same as phone calls, but can often be a bit trickier. The simple answer – don't respond and don't click on any links. There are some really creative text message scams out there right now.
If scammers have access to your phone number, they could potentially use it to hack into your online accounts — including your email, social media, and even your bank account.
Smishing is a phishing cybersecurity attack carried out over mobile text messaging, also known as SMS phishing. As a variant of phishing, victims are deceived into giving sensitive information to a disguised attacker. SMS phishing can be assisted by malware or fraud websites.
Because text messaging cannot accurately convey tone, emotion, facial expressions, gestures, body language, eye contact, oral speech, or face-to-face conversation, it is likely messages will be misinterpreted or misunderstood.
Yes, you should be able to remove a hacker by doing a factory reset on your phone. Keep in mind that this solution will remove all of your data, including contacts, third-party apps, photos, and other files. You will need to set up your phone entirely from scratch.
Ignore texts from strangers. If you receive a text from someone you don't know, simply don't reply. It's the safest route. If you engage with a scammer, even briefly, they will mark your number as active and you could receive even more shady texts in the future.
There are many free and paid apps available on Android and iOS devices that block caller ID for text messages. Apps such as Burner, Hushed, and CoverMe provide disposable phone numbers that allow you to text without revealing your real phone number.
If you are getting spam texts, it's more than likely that whoever is sending you a spam text message is trying to get access to your personal information—bank accounts, passwords, social security number, online IDs and more. Spam texts don't come from another phone.
The text message is unsolicited (scammers will always contact you out of the blue). The text sender has a long phone number (10 or 11 digits). The phone number is “spoofed” (i.e., it looks like it's coming from someone you know or trust). The text includes a link that is most likely shortened or scrambled.
Mysterious apps, calls, or texts appear: A potential telltale sign that your phone has been hacked is the appearance of new apps that you didn't download, along with spikes in data usage that you can't account for. Likewise, if you see calls in your phone's call log that you didn't make, that's a warning as well.
Can hackers watch through your camera? If a hacker installs spyware on your phone then there is a good chance they will be able to access your camera and turn it on/off as they please. They may also be able to access any photos or videos you have previously taken.