Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that aims to steal sensitive information, like login credentials and credit card numbers. This tactic can be for immediate gain, though in some circumstances it might not be. Instead, it targets valuable, closely held data.
What is a Phishing Attack?
Attackers pose as trusted entities, often through email. They lure you into providing personal information. This could be your email login, social security number, or bank account details. These emails seem legitimate, often mimicking real companies. For example, these emails could include logos and official-looking formats. Phishing attacks can be broad, targeting many people at once. Or they can be targeted, known as ‘spear phishing’. In this type of attack, the attacker knows something about you. They use this knowledge to make the scam more convincing.
Three Types of Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks come in various forms, each with unique methods and targets.
1. Business email compromise
This type focuses on corporations and institutions. In these emails, attackers impersonate company executives and send fraudulent emails instructing fund transfers. The goal is often financial theft.
Attackers gain access to an employee’s email account. They use this for further fraudulent activities. The method usually involves spear phishing to gain email access. These attacks aim to steal money or valuable corporate information.
2. Spear phishing
Unlike bulk phishing, spear phishing targets specific individuals. Attackers do thorough research, often using social media and networking sites. The emails sent are personalized and seem credible, and they might request urgent action or financial transfers. The purpose is to access sensitive data or exploit the individual’s authority within an organization.
3. Bulk email phishing
This is the most common type of phishing. Attackers impersonate well-known businesses and target a large recipient base. The method involves sending out thousands of emails, hoping that at least a few recipients will respond. Tactics include using recognizable logos and spoofing domain names. The content of these emails often contains emotional subject lines and deceptive instructions with the aim of stealing sensitive information or spreading malware.
The Threats of Phishing
Each of these phishing types presents a unique threat. Compromised business emails can lead to significant financial losses and data breaches at a corporate level. Spear phishing, with its targeted approach, can result in the compromise of high-level security information. Bulk email phishing, due to its widespread nature, poses a constant threat to a vast number of users. It’s important to keep in mind that when asking “what type of attack is phishing?”, the answer is phishing is a type of social engineering. Attacks exploit psychological weaknesses to trick you into security mistakes. These attacks follow a strategic approach. Awareness and education about these phishing types are essential to a strong cybersecurity program. This training helps individuals and organizations recognize and respond appropriately to these threats. Always verify the source of an email, especially when it requests sensitive information or financial transactions.
How to Mitigate Phishing Attacks
To mitigate phishing attacks, both users and enterprises must adopt proactive strategies. For users, staying vigilant is key. Always check emails for spelling errors and altered domain names. These are common signs of phishing attempts. It’s also important to reflect on why you’re receiving a suspicious email. If it’s unexpected or asks for sensitive information, it might be a phishing attempt.
To learn more about cyberattacks and mitigation options, check out:
- Typosquatting and phishing protection with UltraDDR
- Vercara research: 75% of U.S.consumers would stop purchasing from a brand if it suffered a cyber incident
- What is protective DNS and why do you need it?
Mitigation Techniques
Enterprises can implement several protection measures:
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra verification layer. It requires not just a password, but also something the user has, like a smartphone. This method remains effective even if login credentials are compromised. By requiring a second form of identification, 2FA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
- Password management: Encourage frequent password changes within the organization. Prohibit the reuse of passwords across different applications. This reduces the risk that a breach in one application will lead to breaches in others.
- Ongoing education: Regularly inform and update employees about secure practices. Discourage them from clicking on external email links, especially from unknown sources. Continuous education on the latest phishing tactics can help employees recognize and avoid potential threats.
These forms of protection are crucial in an environment where phishing tactics are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated.
How Vercara Can Help
One industry-leading tool that enterprises rely on to block phishing is UltraDDR. The Decisions Engine uses AI and an Adversarial Infrastructure Data Lake to spotlight domains that have been used previously in phishing attacks. This way, you can detect and block URLs that have proven to be an issue. The Decision Engine is built into UltraDDR. Once your DNS queries are sent to UltraDDR, you’re protected. This next-generation solution takes action before an attack happens. It proactively blocks malicious DNS queries, enabling businesses to stay ahead of threats.
UltraDDR focuses on discovering and mapping adversary infrastructure. It analyzes communication patterns in real-time. This shifts your security from reactive to proactive. With UltraDDR, you can:
- Block these attacks before they occur
- Prevent communication with harmful domains
- Ensure security and fast response
- Use web filtering to control internet access
- Deliver security at work, home, and on the go
Ready to get started? Contact us today.
