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General Category => Off the Record => Computer Affairs => Topic started by: DGuller on April 20, 2021, 11:24:35 AM

Title: Phishing text link
Post by: DGuller on April 20, 2021, 11:24:35 AM
I just did something stupid on my iPhone.  I got a pretty transparently spammy text message with a link, but I was caught with my guard down, particularly since the message happened to be plausibly similar to what I could've gotten legitimately.  Before my critical thinking could turn on, I clicked on the link, at which point I realized my error.

My question is, is there any possibility that clicking on that link could've done something malicious to my phone?  I didn't type in my password or anything, I just clicked on the link in the text message.
Title: Re: Phishing text link
Post by: Barrister on April 20, 2021, 11:56:16 AM
Just clicking on a link by itself should be fine.  Your iPhone is a lot more locked down that a PC.

At worst you may have notified the phisher that your number is valid.
Title: Re: Phishing text link
Post by: jimmy olsen on April 21, 2021, 09:09:30 PM
Quote from: DGuller on April 20, 2021, 11:24:35 AM
I just did something stupid on my iPhone.  I got a pretty transparently spammy text message with a link, but I was caught with my guard down, particularly since the message happened to be plausibly similar to what I could've gotten legitimately.  Before my critical thinking could turn on, I clicked on the link, at which point I realized my error.

My question is, is there any possibility that clicking on that link could've done something malicious to my phone?  I didn't type in my password or anything, I just clicked on the link in the text message.

I don't know about Iphone's specifically, but I believe that just clicking on a link can in some circumstances install malware. Does your phone have antivirus software? I'd run it. Or if you don't have one, download one and run it.
Title: Re: Phishing text link
Post by: viper37 on April 22, 2021, 03:54:59 PM
Quote from: DGuller on April 20, 2021, 11:24:35 AM
My question is, is there any possibility that clicking on that link could've done something malicious to my phone?  I didn't type in my password or anything, I just clicked on the link in the text message.
a possibility, yes, but very slim :)
Title: Re: Phishing text link
Post by: crazy canuck on April 27, 2021, 06:25:42 PM
Quote from: DGuller on April 20, 2021, 11:24:35 AM
I just did something stupid on my iPhone.  I got a pretty transparently spammy text message with a link, but I was caught with my guard down, particularly since the message happened to be plausibly similar to what I could've gotten legitimately.  Before my critical thinking could turn on, I clicked on the link, at which point I realized my error.

My question is, is there any possibility that clicking on that link could've done something malicious to my phone?  I didn't type in my password or anything, I just clicked on the link in the text message.

did the same last week. As BB suggested, I got spammed with calls from a very concerned robo caller who wanted to make sure I did not go to jail.  All I need to do was send them money and they would take care of it.  Our IT folks said my phone was fine.