SMS Phishing
Mobile security starts with awareness.
Text message-based attacks testing employee response to malicious links and credential requests via mobile devices.
Overview
SMS phishing (smishing) exploits the trust users place in text messages and the limitations of mobile devices that hide red flags visible on desktop. With BYOD policies putting corporate data on personal phones, smishing is increasingly effective. Our assessments test how employees respond to malicious text messages that could compromise both personal and corporate security.
What We Test
Our sms phishing engagements cover these key areas:
Response to text messages containing malicious links
Recognition of spoofed sender IDs and short codes
Handling of urgency-based SMS pretexts
Mobile credential harvesting susceptibility
Interaction with fake MFA or verification requests
Cross-channel attack awareness (SMS after email, etc.)
Our Approach
Smishing campaigns require understanding mobile user behavior—shorter attention spans, smaller screens, and different trust models than email. Our campaigns are designed specifically for the mobile context.
Target Identification
Identify mobile numbers for testing. This may require coordination with HR or use of numbers employees have made publicly available.
Pretext Selection
Develop mobile-appropriate pretexts: package delivery notifications, bank alerts, MFA codes, IT notifications, or HR benefits. Shorter messages work better on mobile.
Infrastructure Preparation
Set up SMS sending infrastructure, shortened URLs that hide destination domains, and mobile-optimized landing pages that look legitimate on small screens.
Campaign Execution
Send SMS messages with appropriate timing. Mobile users often respond faster than email users—we track engagement in real-time.
Interaction Tracking
Monitor link clicks, page visits, and any credential submission attempts. Track which devices and carriers are most susceptible.
Results Analysis
Compare mobile susceptibility to email phishing results. Identify whether mobile presents additional risk for your organization.
Common Findings
These are issues we frequently discover during sms phishing engagements:
Higher click rates than email
SMS click rates often exceed email phishing—users trust text messages more and have less time to evaluate before responding.
URL shortener trust
Shortened URLs that would raise suspicion in email are expected in SMS. Users click without knowing the destination.
MFA fatigue exploitation
Fake MFA verification requests succeed because users expect legitimate codes via SMS and respond automatically.
Personal device blur
On BYOD devices, employees don't distinguish between personal and work security. Smishing targeting personal accounts can compromise work data.
After-hours vulnerability
SMS messages sent outside work hours often receive faster, less careful responses than those sent during business hours.
Common Questions
Do you need our employees' phone numbers?
Yes. We typically receive a list from HR or IT. Alternatively, we can use numbers employees have published on LinkedIn, company directories, or other public sources—which also tests your OSINT exposure.
Can smishing bypass mobile device management (MDM)?
Smishing targets the user, not the device. MDM won't block a user from clicking a link or entering credentials. However, we can coordinate with your MDM team to measure whether protections triggered after the fact.
What about personal phones with work email?
This is precisely why smishing matters. Personal phones with corporate data are prime targets. We can test scenarios that start with personal pretexts (package delivery) but lead to corporate credential harvesting.
Is SMS less secure than email?
In some ways, yes. Mobile screens hide full URLs. Users expect brevity so short, suspicious messages seem normal. Caller ID spoofing is trivial. And users check SMS more immediately and less critically than email.
Other Social Engineering Options
Phishing Campaigns
Realistic email phishing simulations that test employee recognition of malicious messages, credential harvesting, and malware delivery attempts.
Vishing (Voice Phishing)
Phone-based social engineering to test susceptibility to pretexting, credential disclosure, and unauthorized information sharing.
Pretexting Scenarios
Complex social engineering scenarios combining multiple attack vectors with developed personas and backstories.
Physical Social Engineering
On-site attempts to gain unauthorized access through tailgating, impersonation, and manipulation of employees.
Ready to Strengthen Your Defenses?
Schedule a free consultation with our security experts to discuss your organization's needs.
Or call us directly at (445) 273-2873