Phishing attacks continue to be a major problem for businesses and individuals alike. Attackers are constantly coming up with new ways to phish for information, and it can be difficult to keep up. Here are some of the most common types of phishing attacks:
Deceptive Phishing
This is the most common type of phishing attack, and usually takes the form of an email or message that looks like it’s from a trusted source. The attacker will try to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment that will install malware or take you to a fake website where you’ll be asked to enter personal or financial information.
Spear Phishing
Spear phishing attacks are targeted at specific individuals or organizations. The attacker will do research to find out as much as possible about their target before sending a personalized email or message that looks like it’s from a trusted source. The goal is to get the recipient to click on a link or attachment that will install malware or take them to a fake website.
Whaling
Whaling attacks are similar to spear phishing, but they target high-profile individuals within an organization, such as CEOs, CFOs, and other executives. These attacks are often more sophisticated than other types of phishing, and the attackers may even pose as someone from a trusted organization, like a law firm or government agency. The goal is to trick the recipient into sharing sensitive information or clicking on a malicious link.
Vishing
Vishing is a type of phishing attack that uses voice calls or voicemails instead of emails or messages. The attacker will try to trick the recipient into giving them sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, over the phone. They may also try to get the recipient to download malware onto their computer.
Smishing
Smishing is a type of phishing attack that uses text messages instead of emails or messages. The attacker will send a text message that looks like it’s from a trusted source, such as your bank or credit card company. The message will usually contain a link that takes you to a fake website where you’ll be asked to enter personal or financial information.
Clone phishing
Clone phishing attacks start with the attacker cloning, or copying, a legitimate email or message and then changing some of the details. The goal is to trick the recipient into thinking the message is from a trusted source when it’s actually from the attacker. The message may contain a malicious link or attachment.
SEO Phishing
SEO phishing attacks exploit vulnerabilities in search engine optimization (SEO) to direct people to fake websites. The attacker will create a fake website that looks like a legitimate website but contains malware or tries to get you to enter personal or financial information. They then use SEO techniques to make sure the fake website shows up high in search results. When people click on the fake website, they may infect their computer with malware or give away personal information.
How to Defend Against Deceptive Phishing
Deceptive phishing, spear phishing, whaling, vishing, smishing, clone phishing, and SEO phishing are all types of phishing attacks. To defend against these attacks, you should be aware of what they are and how to spot them. You should also have security measures in place, such as anti-phishing software, to protect yourself. And finally, you should know what to do if you think you’ve been the victim of a phishing attack.
If you receive an email or message that looks suspicious, don’t click on any links or open any attachments. If you’re not sure whether the message is from a trusted source, you can check with the sender to see if they actually sent it. And if you think you’ve been the victim of a phishing attack, you should report it to the proper authorities and change any passwords or account information that may have been compromised. If you don’t know how to spot phishing emails, contact a cyber security partner for help.
Phishing attacks are becoming more and more sophisticated, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends. By being aware of these attacks and taking steps to protect yourself, you can help keep your information safe.