Scam text

Factual Questions
1

I just got a text on my smartphone. “Susan said to send this to you” followed by a web address, with the bit.ly shortener. I KNOW it was some kind of scam. My question is, was this more likely an attempt to get me to install malware on my phone, or an attempt to directly get me to provide them with information of some sort with non-virusy phishing tactics? I simply deleted the text, didn’t write down the address, sorry.

Edit : Older Android (Droid X Verizon, Android version 2.3.4, whichever tasty treat that is). Not even sure how much phone malware there is out there…

2

There is a Samsung Android-based exploit that can brick your phone and steal your data so yeah, I’d be careful regardless. Even if this isn’t it, it could be scammy in another fashion.

3

It could be either. Or both. iOS is more ‘closed system’ than Android which makes it marginally safer, but in any case never ever open a web link in a text message! I’m a total geek and I have never had reason to ‘text’ someone a link, I’d email it to them instead. Of course, don’t open those either unless you know the sender…

4

If you get another, PM me the link and I’ll tell you what I can about it.