What is Phishing in Cyber Security? Explained Simply

Every day, about 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent around the world.¹ Phishing attacks started in the 1990s and have only gotten more advanced since.¹ The goal of phishing is to fool people into giving out their important information, like bank details or passwords. Attackers use emails, texts, or phone calls to do this.²

Phishing is a type of scam where bad actors pretend to be trustworthy sources. Their aim is to get you to do things like click bad links or share secrets.² Phishing methods have grown. Now, we have special types like spear phishing, smishing, vishing, and whaling. Each targets its victims in specific ways.²

Phishing is a big issue because it’s cheap and it works for criminals.² They play on our fears and rush us to take quick actions without thinking. This can lead to big problems, like getting a virus, having your identity stolen, or losing data.²

To fight back, we need to know about the different phishing tricks out there. Things like fake web links or fake forms to enter your data are common.² It’s also important to always stay cautious and report anything that seems fishy. For both people and companies, staying on top of security is key to beating these online threats.²

What is Phishing in Cyber Security?

Phishing Definition

Phishing is a well-known type of cyber attack. It happens through emails, texts, phone calls, and even face-to-face interactions.¹ The goal of phishing is to deceive users into giving away personal information. This could be financial info, login details, or other sensitive data.² Attackers use social engineering to trick people. They pretend to be someone trustworthy. Then, they get users to visit fake websites, download harmful files, or share private info, like bank details.

How Phishing Works

Phishing attacks can be broad or very focused. It all begins with a fake message that looks real.¹ An email might seem to be from a well-known company. The more it looks like the actual company’s emails, the more successful the attack could be. The end goal for the attacker is usually to steal info or login details.² The message often creates a sense of urgency. It might say your account will be locked or you could lose money. This makes victims act quickly without thinking.

¹ Attackers hope users won’t question the messages they receive. If users pause to think, they might realize it’s a scam. Phishing methods are always changing to avoid detection. This means organizations need to keep training their staff to spot the latest tricks.² Unfortunately, it takes just one successful phishing attempt to cause a major data breach. This shows why fighting phishing is so important, yet challenging.

Types of Phishing Attacks

Phishing emails are the most common form of attack. They often look like they’re from real companies but are actually fake. Attackers change the domain slightly, like adding or changing characters. They can even use trusted names in the email addresses.

Emails may seem urgent, trying to scare you into acting quickly. These emails aim to make you click a link leading to a harmful website. Or they might try to make you download a file that carries malware. Other emails could trick you into sharing personal information.

Spear Phishing

In spear phishing, attackers target specific individuals. They might already know things like your name, where you work, and your role. Armed with this information, they can make their messages very convincing. This makes it easier for them to fool their victims into doing what they want, like sending money.

Whaling

Whaling, on the other hand, focuses on high-ranking targets. The goal is similar to regular phishing, but the approach is more sophisticated. This type of attack skips the usual tricks with links. Instead, it uses highly personal information to seem legitimate. For instance, attackers might use fake tax returns to gather sensitive details about their target.

Smishing and Vishing

Smishing and vishing occur via phone. With smishing, the attacker sends fake text messages. In vishing, they trick people over the phone. A common tactic is to pose as a bank or credit card company. They claim there’s a problem with your account and ask for your card details. This is all to trick you into giving up personal information or money.

Angler Phishing

Angler phishing involves fake social media accounts. Attackers create accounts that seem to belong to well-known brands. They wait for messages from people seeking help and then try to get personal information. In some cases, they direct users to a fake customer service page, which is really a malicious site.³

Signs of Phishing Attacks

If an email seems to threaten you with negative outcomes, be cautious.⁴ Emails also use urgency to make you act fast. Phishers hope that by rushing through, you won’t spot the lies.⁴

Unusual Requests

Be wary if an email asks for unusual actions. For instance, if it asks you to install software that’s normally IT’s job. Such emails are likely malware.

Linguistic Errors

Misspellings and bad grammar are red flags. Companies use spell check, so errors in emails are suspicious. They might not be from who they claim to be.

Inconsistencies in Web Addresses

Check for email and link address matches. Hover over links to check their real destinations. If an alleged Bank of America email doesn’t use its correct domain, it’s likely a fake email.

Request for Credentials or Personal Details

Attackers often set up fake login pages in phishing emails. These pages appear real. If an email asks for personal info unexpectedly, don’t provide it. Visit the website directly to be safe.

Conclusion

Phishing is a dangerous cyber attack that’s on the rise. Attackers trick people into giving out private info or downloading harmful software. In these attacks, emails, texts, social media messages, or calls can all be used.⁵ These messages often scare or pressure you into sharing your details by threatening things like account closure or arrest.⁵

Everyone needs to watch out for phishing. These attacks are getting more complex, especially on social media.⁵ If you fall for one, you could lose money or face identity theft.⁵ So, it’s vital to always be on guard and know what to look for in a phishing attempt. Regular training, solid security measures, and reporting suspicious emails can help keep these attacks at bay.⁵

Phishing has been around since the 1990s and is still a big problem today. It’s a leading cause of financial loss and identity theft for both people and businesses, leading to hefty fines.⁶ It can also damage a company’s image and trust in the eyes of consumers through data leakages.⁶ Remember the 2017 Ethereum Classic hack and the Google Docs scam from the same year as some key examples.⁶

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