SmishGuard

Purpose/Essence of the Project

Providing an advanced solution for SMS phishing (smishing), a type of fraud that harms all cellphone users. The project utilizes real-time identification of unsafe messages and instant user notifications to minimize risk and prevent users from falling victim to fraud.

Describe the Product/Project

The product is an Android app installed on the user’s mobile device. The app monitors incoming messages (with the user’s explicit consent), analyzes their content in real time via a smart mechanism, and identifies patterns that indicate fraud. When detecting a risk, the app displays a clear user notification, with an explanation of the reason for the detection, in order to allow for an informed decision.

How Was the Idea Born?

The idea was born from an attempt to identify a current, wide-ranging problem with high relevance to the modern technological world. In an era where almost every person uses a mobile phone, SMS fraud is constantly on the rise. Additionally, advances in technologies such as AI allow attackers to produce more sophisticated and believable messages, making them harder to detect. This combination of factors made the problem especially relevant and urgent.

Why Did You Choose This Project?

We wanted to work on the solution to a real, significant problem that also touches directly on our daily life. In addition, the project combines interesting technological challenges, such as creating a model and processing text, which we wanted to add to our skillset.

Is the Project Connected with a Personal Story of Yours or of Someone You Know?

Yes. The idea for the project drew on real cases where we or people around us got SMS messages that seemed very believable, like messages about a withheld package, problems with a bank account, or a link for detail confirmation. In some cases, the fraud was hard to notice, especially when the message was convincing and personalized.

What Need Does It Address and for What Population?

It’s intended for all Android users, and is especially relevant for more vulnerable populations such as the elderly, teens, and users who aren’t tech-savvy. The project delivers a technological solution for identifying and warning against SMS fraud in real time.