Mobile-Net

Block Text Message Mobile Spam

If you have received an unsolicited text message that looks like this:

Leonewd (AIM):-1/2-

Investor Stock Alert! Our pick is up 60% so far today, DO NOT MISS OUT!  Get in Fast and Early. For

Or This:

maryleedwxq (AIM):-1/2-

Hot Penny Stock Alert! AHuge PR Campaign has begun for Fleet Managment, starting

You have been the victim of mobile spamming (or m-spamming).  Even if you can tolerate being annoyed by random offers to spend your hard earned money on a scam, you probably do not want to be charged every time you get another message.

You may also be able to stop the AIM text messages by responding to the following message:

 

256-019

 

AIM: You have received a txt from an AIM user.  To stop AIM TXTs, reply 'out' to this msg.

 

 

How do these mobile spammers know your text message address?

They actually do not know your text message address or phone number.  They are simply guessing random phones text addresses.   They know that the typical address has the following format:

AT&T

[10-digit wireless number]@txt.att.net

Verizon

[10-digit wireless number]@vtext.com

T-mobile

[10-digit wireless number]@tmomail.net

Text message spammers just put all the numbers possible for a given area into a database of software and press a button.  They are abusing text message marketing using bulk text messaging software and/or services.  They will typically forward from multiple fake usernames to the same text address.

 

 

How do you block text message spam?

Cell phone carriers offer a way to block this spam.

Verizon Wireless allows it user to block spam by logging into vtext.com.  Once logged in, users select Text Messaging | Preferences and "Text Blocking".  You can block text messages from the Internet or from e-mail (which is where much of the spam comes from).

AT&T Wireless has users log in at mymessages.wireless.att.com selecting Preference and text- blocking.  AT&T also allows users to block specific e-mails and websites.

T-Mobile, Sprint and other carriers also allow similar features.

 

With the explosive rise in Mobile Phone use, we can expect to see much more m-spam and aggressive marketing techniques.  As consumer you have to take it upon yourself to be defensive and offensive about your security on all of your devices.

 

About the Author

rob elamb writes at the security blog, elamb.org

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