SMS

Although many wrong-number texts are harmless, responding politely can be valuable to cybercriminals. By replying, an individual confirms that their number is active and receptive, which increases its value as a target for fraud. Scammers analyze the reply not because of a technical exploit, but because it proves the person is responsive, polite, and quick to answer.

A user received a scam call from a New Zealand number posing as Amazon, prompting them to share a verification code. After taking security measures like changing their password and enabling two-step verification, they noticed discrepancies in SMS/WhatsApp messages and questioned the scam's methodology.

A user reports receiving phishing texts about parking payment defaults from unknown numbers, seeking confirmation if it is a scam and advice to reduce phishing messages. The text includes instructions to click a link and enter a vehicle registration number, despite the user not owning a car.

Google is addressing a security flaw in Android 16 that allows unauthenticated users to send SMS or WhatsApp messages via Gemini from the lock screen without a PIN. The bug, reported to The Register, enables physical attackers to bypass device authentication using a specific multi-touch gesture, with Google confirming a fix will deploy this week.

A user reports receiving daily SMS messages containing Microsoft verification codes from various numbers, including the official Microsoft number, without accompanying links. Despite contacting Microsoft and removing their number from accounts, the codes continue to arrive.

A user is receiving unsolicited one-time passwords (OTPs) from WesternU via Viber, WhatsApp, and SMS, despite not having an account with WesternU or Western Union. They have blocked messages on WhatsApp and SMS but cannot stop them on Viber due to business chat restrictions.

Bescom clarified that average billing is not applicable to all consumers and that submitting caste details is optional. July's average electricity bills will be communicated exclusively via SMS and email.

Job scammers are using SMS and messaging platforms to impersonate Amazon recruiters, offering fake high-paying remote roles with promises of $250–$500 daily for minimal work. The scams, often attributed to a 'Sophia' from Amazon’s recruiting department, direct victims to non-Amazon contact details and exploit 'task scam' tactics to extract money or personal data.

The author created an emergency page to address concerns about losing their phone in Brazil, which sends SMS and email alerts with geolocation, IP address, and detailed messages. The project is open-source and designed to help users or others in emergencies.

Arxia is a new Layer 1 blockchain designed to function without internet infrastructure, using decentralized protocols like LoRa, Bluetooth, and SMS. It features a block lattice architecture, CRDT-based reconciliation, and Ed25519/Blake3 cryptography, with the first offline transaction tested between handheld devices in airplane mode.