What is Phishing?
Phishing is a sophisticated cyber attack that lures victims into providing sensitive information like login credentials or passwords to fake websites. The attacker then uses that stolen data to gain access to the victim’s organization. Attackers use psychology to elicit the desired response. They often create a sense of urgency or fear to make the target react without thinking.
Typically, phishing emails impersonate companies or trusted individuals to build trust and make the attack more credible. The attacker may reference recent company news, mimic a colleague’s writing style or even steal personal details from social media to create the perfect phishing email. In some instances, the attacker will even spoof website addresses and Internet pages to make their phishing emails look authentic.
Attackers also exploit the need to act fast by leveraging a sense of urgency or fear. They might send messages to the victim claiming that their computer has been hacked or they are being sued. They might ask the victim to bypass standard verification procedures and respond immediately. Alternatively, they might ask the victim to share private information or wire funds.
Regardless of the specific tactics used, it is critical that employees are trained to recognize suspicious requests and report them promptly. Organizations should also train employees on best practices such as securing passwords, regularly updating software and ensuring that all devices are protected with a firewall. In addition, deploying tools like DMARC, SPF and DKIM can help close potential entry points that phishing campaigns often exploit.