CyberSense - Smishing & Vishing 2.0

Loading player...
How do you defend yourself against a conversation? You have to break the script.

Rule One: Never Trust Caller ID or the Sender’s Name in a Text. Spoofing is effortless. That text from “FedEx” or call from “SARS” is almost certainly fake. Assume it’s fraudulent until you verify.

Rule Two: Never Engage. Never Click. Never Call Back. Your most powerful move is silence. Do not reply “STOP” or “NO” to a suspicious text—it just confirms your number is live. Do not press “1” to speak to an agent. Do not call the number provided. Break contact.

Rule Three: Verify Through Your Official App or a Known Number. If a text claims to be from your bank, log into your bank’s official app separately. If a call is about a parcel, go to the shipper’s official website and type in your tracking number yourself. Initiate contact on your terms, using information you already have.

- CyberSense with Declan Hardie on Impact 103
28 Jan English South Africa Education · Technology

Other recent episodes

CyberSense - 2 Factor Authentication

🔐 CYBER SENSE ALERT: Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Your Digital Bodyguard 🇿🇦 A password alone is not enough. Hackers can steal, guess, or buy your password online. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds a second lock to your accounts – and only you have the key. What is 2FA? It's a second…
29 Apr 4 min

CyberSense - Sim Swap Scam

CYBER SENSE ALERT: SIM Swapping – The South African Nightmare 📱 Criminals trick your mobile provider into swapping your SIM to their phone. Suddenly, your phone goes dead – and they have access to your banking OTPs and verification codes. Your SIM Swap Survival Plan: ADD A SIM SWAP PIN…
22 Apr 4 min

CyberSense - Supply Chain Attack

🛡️ CYBER SENSE ALERT: Supply Chain Attacks – Update Smartly 🛡️ Even if you do everything right, hackers can hide malware inside software updates from trusted companies. This is called a Supply Chain Attack. Your 3 Shields Against This Threat: NEVER UPDATE FROM AN EMAIL LINK. Scammers send fake "Urgent…
26 Nov 2025 3 min

CyberSense - AI Impersonation

CyberSense is a weekly 3-4 minute cybersecurity podcast hosted by Declan Hardie on Impact 103 FM, delivering practical tips to help South Africans spot scams and stay safe online. We partner with community and commercial radio stations across South Africa, providing episodes completely free for broadcast to spread cyber safety…
10 Dec 2025 3 min

CyberSense - Smart Devices

🏠 CYBER SENSE ALERT: Secure Your Smart Home – IoT Safety 🇿🇦 Your smart doorbell, thermostat, and voice assistant are convenient. But hackers see them as a weak back door into your home network. Your 3 Rules for a Secure Smart Home: CHANGE THE DEFAULT PASSWORD. New devices often come…
3 Dec 2025 3 min