What is smishing?

Smishing is a specific type of phishing that occurs through the use of SMS text messages. This technique involves cybercriminals sending fraudulent texts that typically contain malicious links or prompts, aiming to trick recipients into revealing personal information, such as usernames, passwords, or financial details.

The hallmark of smishing lies in the use of mobile phones to deliver these deceptive messages, which differentiates it from other forms of phishing, such as phishing conducted through emails or phone calls. While phishing can take various forms, such as email, phone, or social media, smishing is characterized clearly by its use of text messages as the primary medium for the scam.