Criminals engage in “phishing” when they use fraudulent emails, text messages, or phone calls to defraud their victims. But what exactly is what is ’email phishing’? Often, the objective is to convince you to visit a website that could download a virus to your computer or steal your bank data or other private information.
This article will discuss how phishing works, various types of phishing attacks, and how you can prevent yourself or your organization from phishing attacks with cyber security tools like HarpoonX from DigitialXRaid. . Continue reading to learn more about this prevalent cybercrime.
How Phishing Works
A phishing attack begins with a fraudulent email message masquerading as an authentic email from a legitimate business. The more the message looks like it’s from a legitimate business, the more likely the attacker will be successful.
The main goal of an attacker is usually to obtain personal data or credentials illegally. Attackers often persuade the potential victim by sending a message with a sense of urgency. The message could threaten to close the user’s account, take their money, or make them lose their job. Users who agree to an attacker’s demands because they were tricked into it don’t stop to think about whether the demands make sense. They don’t process the warning signs and unrealistic demands until much later.
Since phishing constantly adapts to avoid detection by both automated systems and humans, organizations must regularly update their training to ensure that employees know the most recent phishing techniques. If just one person falls for phishing, it can lead to a significant data breach. As it involves human defenses, it is one of the most vital risks to minimize and one of the most challenging.
Types of Phishing Attacks
Here are some of the most common types of phishing:
- Standard email phishing. This attack is probably the most well-known type of phishing. In this attack, the attacker attempts to steal sensitive information by sending an email that looks like it came from a legitimate company.
- Spear phishing. Most phishing attacks try to catch as many people as possible – but spear phishing is a highly targeted, well-researched attack that usually goes after business executives, public figures, and other profitable targets.
- Smishing. This attack is a form of phishing that uses text messages to send malicious short links to a smartphone user. These links are often disguised as account notices, prize notifications, and political messages.
- Search engine phishing. This attack is where cybercriminals set up fake websites to obtain personal information and money. These sites can appear in free search results or paid ads.
- Vishing. Also known as voice phishing, “vishing” is when an attacker calls and pretends to be from tech support, the government, or another organization to get personal information, like banking or credit card numbers.
How to Prevent Phishing Attacks
1. Avoid clicking on links
Instead, use your URL. Avoid clicking if you use a product or service from the company that appears to be sending you the message. Instead, use a browser bookmark or a search engine to find the webpage. If the email is genuine, you should find similar information when logging into your account on the genuine site. Doing this will ensure you only access reputable websites.
If you click on a link or dial a number from an email, instant message, blog, forum, voicemail, etc., the recipient decides where you go and who you speak with. The website they direct you to or the “bank manager” on the phone may look legitimate, but if you submit your information, it will be stolen and misused.
2. Use a filtering browser extension
Some browser addons rank search engine results depending on established characteristics or behaviors, and they may even prevent you from accessing malicious websites. These sites are typically rated from safe to questionable to high risk.
3. Two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication is the most effective way to prevent phishing attempts since it offers an additional degree of verification when accessing sensitive apps. 2FA requires users to have two things: something they know, like a password and user name, and something they have, like a smartphone. Even if an employee’s credentials are hacked, two-factor authentication prevents them from being used to get access, as stolen credentials alone are inadequate.