Why do I get random text messages from unknown numbers?
These messages are spam texts, also known as robotexts. The fact is, most spam texts don't come from another mobile phone. They usually come from a scammer who is sitting behind a computer sending a massive amount of texts from an email address or other messaging account.21-Jul-2021
BBB said these scammers potentially have technology to steal your phone contacts and continue to scam your friends too, so avoid even opening up the unknown text.22-Mar-2022
What to do if you get texted by a random number?
“Block the number and erase that text message. Even if you respond 'stop' or 'no, wrong number', that is just letting them know it's an active number, and you're opening the door for more texts in the future,” Wetzel said.23-Mar-2022
How to stop spam texts
Why am I getting texts from people I don't know?
These phishing attempts first started out as phone calls and emails, but now cybercriminals can also reach you via SMS (text message) through a popular phishing scam dubbed “smishing.” “A good general rule of thumb for a text from someone you don't know is to just ignore it or delete it,” says Stephen Cobb, senior 08-Aug-2022
Smishing is when fraudsters use text messaging to impersonate a trusted organization and steal your identifying information, such as your Social Security number, account usernames and passwords, bank account information or credit card numbers.22-Apr-2022
Can a virus come through a text message?
Simply opening and reading an SMS text message is unlikely to infect your phone, but you can get a virus or malware if you download an infected attachment or click a link to a compromised website. SMS phishing attacks — known as smishing — use this technique.19-Nov-2019
Why am I getting spam text messages? There are many ways spammers get hold of your cell phone number so they can send SMS spam and sales texts: They may use technology to generate numbers automatically — so even if you have a brand-new number, you can still receive both robocalls and robotexts.
Can someone track your location from a text?
Yes, other people can track your location by sending you a text message on chat platforms or via SMS. They may send you a malicious link, install a hidden app, or triangulate your location using phone company data. However, it's much harder to track your location based on a text you send to someone.31-Jul-2022
Skilled hackers can take over a hacked smartphone and do everything from making overseas phone calls, sending texts, and using your phone's browser to shop on the Internet. Since they're not paying your smartphone bill, they don't care about exceeding your data limits.
Why am I getting so many spam texts all of a sudden 2021?
A report from spam-blocking app RoboKiller found that spam texts increased 58 percent in 2021 from the previous year. This big jump probably happened because scammers are realizing that people are too familiar with phone scams to fall for them at the same rate, RoboKiller Vice President Giulia Porter said.18-Feb-2022
Can you get scammed by replying to a text?
THE ANSWER Yes, some scammers are posing as people who have texted the wrong number. Experts recommend you don't respond to texts from strangers — if nothing else, a scammer will know your phone number is active when you reply.23-May-2022
Clicking on a phishing link or opening an attachment in one of these messages may install malware, like viruses, spyware or ransomware, on your device. This is all done behind the scenes, so it is undetectable to the average user.
Can responding to a text message be harmful?
Responding to the text message can allow malware to be installed that will silently collect personal information from your phone. Imagine what an identity thief could do with the information from an online banking or credit card management app.26-Jul-2021
Zero-Click Exploit Experts say that just receiving an iMessage from a hacker using this exploit can be enough to leave users' personal data exposed. "It's like being robbed by a ghost," Hubbard wrote.
Can you get a virus from opening a text message with a picture?
The short answer is 'yes.10-Nov-2021
Signs your Android phone may have a virus or other malware
Why do I get so many spam texts?
If you are getting spam texts, it's more than likely that whoever is sending you a spam text message is trying to get access to your personal information—bank accounts, passwords, social security number, online IDs and more. Spam texts don't come from another phone.
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How to Know If Someone Is Tracking Your Phone
Why do I get random text messages from unknown numbers?