If You Thought It Was a Delivery and Pressed 'Gguk', Be Careful When Pressing 'Gguk' for Chuseok Greetings

Clicking the link attached to this text message leads to downloading a malicious app, which secretly intercepts incoming text messages on the smartphone and forwards them to the attacker.
Photo shows a smishing attack text message disguised as a health checkup notification. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] A smishing alert has been issued ahead of the Chuseok holiday. If you receive messages disguised as from delivery companies, acquaintances, or regarding the second disaster relief fund payment, it is best not to click on them and delete them immediately.

Smishing is a crime method that tricks recipients into clicking on a URL included in a text message to steal personal or financial information.

Clicking the URL can install malicious apps or apps that remotely control the phone without the user’s knowledge. Alternatively, malicious code may be installed on the phone as soon as the URL is accessed, potentially causing small payments to be made.

As online communication is expected to increase this Chuseok instead of visiting hometowns to prevent the spread of COVID-19, extra caution is needed against smishing scams disguised as greetings.

Smishing SNS impersonating children. Photo by Choi Eun-young, Intern Reporter

New tactics are also increasing, such as impersonating children to request personal or financial information and asking to purchase cultural gift certificates on their behalf.

Be cautious of messages disguised as delivery notifications or second disaster relief fund payments. When in doubt, it is best to verify directly on the delivery company’s website.

To prevent such smishing damage, be wary of text messages from uncertain sources. Even if the message appears to be from family, relatives, or acquaintances, do not click on URLs recklessly or comply with requests for personal information.

It is also recommended to install antivirus software on your phone or PC and update it regularly. You can install smishing prevention apps provided by mobile carriers or security companies. Strengthening phone security settings to restrict installation of apps from unknown sources is another method.

If you receive a suspicious smishing message or suspect infection by a malicious app, you can contact the counseling center (☎118) anytime, 24 hours a day. The consultation is free of charge.

If you have already been a victim of smishing, you can call the remittance/deposit financial company call center or the Financial Supervisory Service call center (☎1332) to request account suspension and apply for damage relief.

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