SMS and Notification protection

SMS and Notification protections protect you against smishing.

Smishing comes from combining the words phishing and SMS (Short Message Service). That is why it might sometimes be referred to as SMS phishing. Attackers use SMS messages, as people tend to trust messages more than email.

SMS protection guards you against smishing spread from the SMS message. But the threat could be spread also from any messaging platform. That is where Notification protection steps in. When you receive an SMS or a notification (for example, after receiving a message from Whatsapp), ESET Mobile Security analyses the link. Based on the analysis, there are three possible outcomes:

•No threat is found.

•Potentially unwanted content is found. The content of the message or notification might not pose any direct risk. The intent is not as unequivocally malicious as other types of malware, such as viruses or trojans. It may, however, install additional unwanted software, change the behavior of the digital device, or perform activities not approved or expected by the user.

•Dangerous content found. This message or notification contains dangerous or phishing links. We recommend you do not open the content and delete the message or notification.

How smishing works

1.An attacker sends you a message containing a link to a website.

2.The link usually leads to a phishing website that might lure you into providing your personal information. These can be used, for example, to steal money from you or commit further fraud. The link could also lead to a malicious website that contains malware or tries to trick you into downloading it.

Signs of smishing

•A suspicious phone number, for example, a foreign number or a number with a nonstandard length.

•The message contains unknown files or links.

•Smishing messages usually have an urgent tone.

•Smishing messages often pose as a prize or winning information.