Smartphones increasingly used for phishing attacks

Phishing is one of the most common ways cybercriminals use to get their hands on sensitive information. In this form of cybercrime, criminals try to obtain data via a dangerous link in an e-mail, SMS or message. It is important to know how to protect yourself against it and how to secure your personal data. This may make it (easier) possible to prevent a data breach.

Smartphone phishing

Cyber ​​criminals are also increasingly cunning when it comes to phishing. The attacks are increasingly aimed specifically at smartphones. And with success, because on the small screen of the smartphone it is often more difficult to see whether a link or attachment in an e-mail is fraudulent.

Due to the speed with which we generally go through our e-mails, text messages and messages, a wrong link or attachment is easily clicked. So watch out for this. For example, is an offer too good to be true? Then it probably is. And do you receive a notification about a package when you have not ordered anything? That often points to phishing.

Cybercriminals often send the fake emails, texts or messages to hundreds or even thousands of recipients at a time. But sometimes they also focus on just one person. In this so-called spearfishing, the scammer poses as an employee of the same company or even as a manager or board member. Stay alert and contact the sender if you are unsure. This way you may be able to avoid being scammed.

Damage from phishing

Phishing can lead to a lot of damage. Consider, for example, identity theft, theft of sensitive customer information and reputational damage. It is therefore wise to protect yourself against it as much as possible.

This is possible, for example, with a business telephone subscription with antivirus software. There is even software that scans incoming emails for malware and other malicious software. It also helps if you recognize suspicious e-mails, links and attachments yourself. This way you can better fend off cyber attacks.