A type of phishing attack that uses SMS or other text messages to deceive victims into revealing sensitive information.

Which of the following are red flags that indicate a text message might be a smishing attempt? (Select all that apply)

The message creates a sense of urgency, demanding immediate action to avoid negative consequences. Additionally, The message comes from an unknown or unverified sender. Additionally, The URL in the message looks similar to but doesn't exactly match the official company domain.

If you receive a suspicious text message claiming to be from your company's IT department, what should you do? (Select all that apply)

Do not click any links or download any attachments in the message. Additionally, Verify the legitimacy by contacting IT through official channels (phone number from company directory, official email). Additionally, Report the suspicious message to your IT security department immediately.

Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Understand how SMS-based phishing attacks exploit urgency and mobile device vulnerabilities to steal credentials through fake login pages optimized for phones.

What You'll Learn

Recognize smishing attacks delivered via SMS and other text messaging platforms
Identify red flags in text messages including unknown senders and mismatched URLs
Understand the risks of clicking links in unsolicited mobile communications
Learn to verify account alerts through official channels rather than message links
Master incident reporting procedures using corporate email systems
Develop skills in securing accounts after suspected credential compromise

Training Steps

Introduction

You are Alice, an employee at CypherPeak Technologies, a fictional tech company specializing in cloud-based software development. Your role involves managing client communications and sensitive project data. In this training, you'll step into Alice's shoes to experience a smishing attack orchestrated by Bob, a cybercriminal aiming to steal your credentials through deceptive tactics.
Receiving the Suspicious Text

As Alice, your mobile phone suddenly buzzes on your desk, indicating a new text message. Intrigued by the unexpected notification during your busy morning, you pick up the phone to check it.
Clicking the Suspicious Link

As Alice, you feel uneasy about the text message but are concerned about the supposed account issue. Pressured by the urgent tone, you decide to open the suspicious link to investigate further.
Viewing the Fake Login Page

The link opens a webpage that closely mimics CypherPeak Technologies' official login portal, complete with the company's logo, colors, and layout. It prompts you to enter your username and password to 'verify' your account. Bob designed this fake site to trick you into sharing your credentials, exploiting the trust inspired by its professional appearance. The URL, http://cypherpeak-secure-login.com, differs from the official site, but the similarity is deceptive.
Entering Credentials

As Alice, you're reassured by the familiar look of the webpage and, still worried about the urgent account issue, decide to enter your username and password into the fake login portal to resolve the supposed problem.
Encountering an Error Page

After entering your credentials, the webpage displays an error message: 'Unable to verify account. Please try again later.' As Alice, this unexpected error heightens your worry, making you suspect something is wrong with the login process or your account. Unbeknownst to you, Bob has already captured your credentials and is preparing to misuse them. This error page is a common tactic in smishing attacks to deflect suspicion while the attacker gains access.
Bob Accessing the System

Bob now uses the stolen credentials for malicious actions like data exfiltration. This demonstrates the real-world impact of smishing – beyond just login details, it can compromise entire systems.
Receiving the Login Alert Email

As Alice, you open your email app the next morning and find a login alert email from CypherPeak Technologies' IT department.
Report the Incident

As Alice, alarmed by the login alert email and recalling the suspicious text and error page, you decide to reply to the IT department's email to report the incident. Reporting is key to mitigation. Describe the incident accurately to help IT respond effectively. Even suspected attacks should be reported.
Logging into the Corporate Website

After reporting the incident, you take immediate action to secure your account by logging into the official CypherPeak Technologies corporate website to update your password through the secure portal. To ensure safety, you manually navigate to the official website using your browser, avoiding any links from suspicious messages.

Knowledge Check Questions

This training includes a 6-question quiz to test your understanding of Smishing (SMS Phishing) threats and defenses.

What is smishing?
Which of the following are red flags that indicate a text message might be a smishing attempt? (Select all that apply)
If you receive a suspicious text message claiming to be from your company's IT department, what should you do? (Select all that apply)
Which of these are effective measures to protect yourself from smishing attacks? (Select all that apply)
Why do smishing attackers often use fake login pages that closely mimic legitimate company websites?