Smishing is a criminal offense conducted by using social engineering techniques similar to Phishing. The name is derived from "SMS PhISHING." SMS - Short Message Service - is the text messages communication component dominantly used into mobile phones.

Smishing uses cell phone text messages to deliver a lure message to get the victim to reveal his/her PI. The popular technique to "hook" (method used to actually "capture" your information) the victim is either provide a phone number to force the victim to call or provide a website URL to force the victim to access the URL, wherein, the victim gets connected with bogus website (i.e., duplicate but fake site created by the criminal) and submits his/her PI.

Smishing works in the similar pattern as Vishing. A few examples of Smishing are provided herewith to demonstrate how the victim is forced to disclose PI.

1. "We are happy to send our confirmation toward your enrollment for our 'xxxxxxxxxx Club Membership'." You will be charged Rs 50/- per day, unless you reconfirm your acceptance of your membership on our "Membership Office Contact no. XXXXXXX"

2. "[(Name of popular online bank) is confirming that you have purchased LCD TV set, worth of Rs 90,000 /- only from (name of popular computer company).Visit www. abcdef.com if you did not make this online purchase."

How to Protect from Smishing Attacks

1. Do not answer a text message that you have received asking for your PI. Even if the message seems to be received from your best friend, do not respond, because he/she may not be the one who has actually sent it.
2. Avoid calling any phone numbers, as mentioned in the received message, to cancel a membership and/or confirming a transaction which you have not initiated but mentioned in the message. Always call on the numbers displayed on the invoice and/or appearing in the bank statements/ passbook.
3. Never click on a hot link received through message on your Smartphone or PDA. Hot links are links that you can click, which will take you directly to the Internet sites. Smishing messages may have hot links, wherein you click on the link and download Spyware to your phone without knowing. Once this software has been downloaded, criminals can easily steal any information that is available on your cell phone and have access to everything that you do on your cell phone.