KT Blocks 60,000 Cases of New Coronavirus Smishing in Two Weeks...

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] KT is strengthening customer protection against smishing scams exploiting the "Wuhan Pneumonia (Novel Coronavirus)".

KT announced on the 11th that smishing scams have been rampant recently by exploiting the public's interest in the novel coronavirus, and that it is enhancing blocking measures to protect customers from these threats.

Smishing, a combination of SMS (Short Message Service) and phishing, is an online fraud technique that sends text messages using bait such as parcel delivery or mobile wedding invitations, then induces customers to click on URLs included in the messages, causing harm. Clicking on the URL in a smishing message installs malicious apps on smartphones that steal personal information or lead users to advertising pages.

KT reported that smishing scams baiting with messages like "Verification of identity information of domestic Wuhan Pneumonia infected and contacts" and "Parcel delivery delays due to Wuhan Pneumonia" have recently occurred. Since the end of January, KT anticipated smishing attacks exploiting the novel coronavirus and began analysis. Based on this, KT blocked over 60,000 malicious URL access attempts in two weeks until the 10th.

Since 2013, KT has independently developed and operated the "KT Smishing Response System" to protect customers from smishing attacks. Through real-time response, it proactively blocks over 10 million smishing attacks annually. The KT Smishing Response System detects malicious URLs in real time and blocks access. Therefore, even if customers receive smishing messages and click on malicious URLs, they are redirected to the "KT Smishing Prevention Guide Popup" which provides guidance to prevent smishing attacks.

KT has further strengthened real-time detection of new types of smishing messages and variant malicious apps related to Wuhan Pneumonia or the novel coronavirus. Additionally, KT plans to deploy more security experts to minimize smishing damage and is committed to doing its best to protect customers.

Jong-ho Park, Head of KT INS Division (Executive Director), said, "As concerns about the novel coronavirus have increased recently, smishing exploiting this has exploded," and added, "Since smishing can cause enormous damage with just a simple click, URLs in unverified messages should never be clicked."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.