Define Phishing/Smishing
By Christian Armstrong
The Definition
Phishing is the illegal act of trying to acquire one's personal information on Email such as credit card information, sometimes the suspect would bait the victim into giving them what they want such as using a nonexistent prize as bait or pretending to be a real organization. Smishing is the same process except the suspect uses text messages.
On March 9, 2012 Walmart issues a fraud alert regarding a large amount of scam alerts that offered a non existent $1000 credit card as bait.
To avoid situations like this don't click on links or read messages from people you don't know, or make sure that the organization that the suspect claims to be is legit. If someone you know has a fishy looking link then don't click on it and tell your friend to not click on it to protect him/her.