PHISHING

Phishing is a cyber attack that uses disguised email as a weapon. The goal is to trick the email recipient into believing that the message is something they want or need — a request from their bank, for instance, or a note from someone in their company — and to click a link or download an attachment.

What are the different types of phishing?

Below are a few common types of phishing scams:

• Spear Phishing— Some phishing attacks are random. In contrast, more sophisticated phishers do their homework, then specifically target certain groups, organizations, or people. For example, your company might get a message that appears to be from a contractor or supplier. Or an attachment could appear to come from someone within your organization who requests an employee’s company credentials. After stealing credentials, criminals can wreak all sorts of havoc once inside your system.

• CEO Fraud— This phishing scam targets employees within an organization by impersonating the company’s CEO. The message may ask the recipient to send a certain amount of the company’s money to pay for a contracted service or purchased products. Quite often, the messages are urgent in nature. However, if a person follows through on the urgent request, the money goes directly to the scammer.

• Social Media Phishing— Instead of using email or texts, these phishing scams use Facebook, Twitter, or other social media platforms. Phishers use this type of phishing to build trust with their targets before the attack happens. The messages might make offers for goods or services, or promise rewards, like gift cards. At the same time, unsuspecting victims may spread the attacks by sharing the offers with all their social media network. 

• Mobile Phone Phishing— Phishers send messages via text messages or instant messaging platforms. The goal could be similar to any of the above types of phishing. This includes deceiving people into giving away sensitive information that lets them access financial accounts or steal identities.  

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