"COVID-19 Mutual Aid National Support Fund Guide, Beware of 'Smishing'"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government has warned that smishing attacks impersonating the government and card companies are expected to increase around the time of the application and payment period for the ‘COVID-19 Coexistence National Support Fund’ and urged caution.

On the 5th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety emphasized that users should actively utilize the National Secretary advance notification service to prevent smishing damage, and if they receive notification messages from unknown sources other than the National Secretary or card companies, or messages containing suspicious internet addresses impersonating the government or card companies, they should carefully check them once again.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety also stated that users need to practice the ‘Top 10 Smartphone Security Rules’ regularly, and if they receive suspected smishing messages or suspect infection by malicious apps, they can receive counseling at the 118 Counseling Center, which operates free of charge 24 hours a day.

The government plans to raise users’ awareness of smishing by using various channels, such as sequentially sending ‘smishing damage prevention messages’ under the name of each telecommunications company starting from the 6th, when the application and payment for the National Support Fund begins.

In addition, the government will conduct 24-hour monitoring, analyze smishing information reported, and immediately block malicious app distribution sites to minimize user damage, making every effort to do so.

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