PHISHING ATTACKS

What are Phishing Attacks?

Phishing is a fraudulent practice in which an attacker masquerades as a reputable entity or person in an email or other form of communication. Attackers commonly use phishing emails to distribute malicious links or attachments that can extract login credentials, account numbers, and other personal information from victims.

Spear Phishing

Spear phishing involves targeting a specific individual in an organization to try to steal their login credentials. The attacker often first gathers information about the person before starting the attack, such as their name, position, and contact details.

Business Email Compromise (BEC)

Attackers impersonate a company executive (e.g., CEO or finance officer). They send an urgent email to employees, asking them to transfer money or send sensitive company data. Employees, believing the email is real, comply with the request, resulting in huge financial losses.

Social Media & Identity Theft

Attackers create fake social media messages pretending to be customer support or a trusted friend. Victims click a malicious link or provide personal details, which are later used for fraud or identity theft.

Hijacking Online Accounts

Attackers target social media, email, or cloud storage accounts. Once they gain access, they use the victim’s account for fraud, blackmail, or further phishing attacks.

Vishing

Vishing, which is short for "voice phishing," is when someone uses the phone to try to steal information. The attacker may pretend to be a trusted friend or relative or to represent them.

Email Phishing

In an email phishing scam, the attacker sends an email that looks legitimate, designed to trick the recipient into entering information in reply or on a site that the hacker can use to steal or sell their data.

Pop-Up Phishing

Pop-up phishing often uses a pop-up about a problem with your computer’s security or some other issue to trick you into clicking. You are then directed to download a file, which ends up being malware, or to call what is supposed to be a support center.

Whaling

A whaling attack is a phishing attack that targets a senior executive. These individuals often have deep access to sensitive areas of the network, so a successful attack can result in access to valuable info.

Smishing

A smishing attack (SMS phishing) is a type of cyberattack where scammers use fraudulent text messages to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials, financial details, or personal data. It often involves malicious links, fake alerts, or impersonation of trusted entities.

Phishing attacks are used for various malicious purposes, primarily to steal sensitive information, spread malware, or manipulate victims into taking harmful actions. Here's how attackers use phishing attacks:

• Stealing Credentials (Usernames & Passwords)
  - Attackers send fake emails or messages pretending to be legitimate companies (e.g., banks, social media platforms, or work-related accounts).
  - The email contains a fake login page that looks real.
  - When victims enter their usernames and passwords, the attacker steals the credentials.
• Financial Fraud & Banking Scams
  - Phishing emails impersonate banks or payment services like PayPal, asking victims to verify their accounts.
  - Victims enter their bank details, which are then used for fraud.
  - Some phishing scams trick victims into sending money directly to the attacker.
• Installing Malware & Ransomware
  - Phishing emails contain infected attachments or links that download malware.
  - Once the victim clicks, the malware installs on their device.
  - The malware can steal data, record keystrokes, or lock files (ransomware).

Here are some effective ways to prevent phishing attacks:

• Stay Aware & Educate Yourself
  - Learn to recognize phishing emails, fake websites, and social engineering tactics.
  - Train employees and users regularly on how to identify and report phishing attempts.
• Don’t Click on Suspicious Links or Attachments
  - Hover over links before clicking to verify their destination.
  - Avoid downloading attachments from unknown senders—they may contain malware.
• Verify the Sender’s Email Address
  - Check for misspelled domains (e.g., "support@paypal.com" vs. "support@paypa1.com").
  - Be cautious of emails from free services like @gmail.com or @yahoo.com claiming to be official.
• Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  - Even if hackers steal your password, MFA prevents unauthorized access.
  - Use authentication apps (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator) instead of SMS codes (which can be intercepted).
• Keep Your Software & Systems Updated
  - Phishing attacks often exploit outdated software vulnerabilities.
  - Enable automatic updates for your browser, operating system, and antivirus.