Nowadays, various cyber attacks pose a threat to people who use the Internet. These malicious attacks can be diverse: from theft of bank details to loss of control of the infected device, from ordinary online users to multinational companies.
One of the most common types of cybercrime is phishing. In this attack, a criminal tries to convince an unsuspecting person that they are a legitimate and trustworthy source. If they manage to trick the user, cybercriminals can then steal personal information and infect the user's device with malware.
When you think of a phishing attack, you usually think of email phishing. However, scammers use other forms of phishing to achieve their malicious goals. With that in mind, here are five types of phishing you should avoid.
1. Email Phishing
As mentioned above, email phishing is the most common type of attack. There are several reasons for this, the main one being that it is easy to carry out on a large scale. Once they have obtained the email addresses of potential targets, cybercriminals can send out a mass email in a matter of minutes.
Even though this tactic has been around for a long time, it remains effective. In fact, many adults are still unaware of what phishing is. However, even those who are aware of phishing can still fall for it, as attackers are using more sophisticated methods with their emails.
One such method is to create a sense of urgency. For example, by telling the recipient that their account has been hacked, which makes them feel like they need to take action immediately. The email sent is sometimes not properly reviewed for typos and inconsistencies that show it is not legitimate – click on the included URL link and fill in the personal information as instructed. This way, the scammer has all the data they want.
Click on the following link to more information on email phishing.
2. Spear phishing
Less common, this is another email phishing tactic. Rather than targeting a large number of people with a single email, spear phishing involves targeting a specific person. While it does require more work for the cybercriminal due to the need to personalize the messages, they are also much more likely to succeed with their scam on an individual basis.
3. Smishing
Le smishing is a method that involves replacing emails with SMS messages. They usually come in the same form as your standard email phishing campaign, but it can be harder to tell that they are illegitimate. For example, a text can be easily disguised as a legitimate source, sending a tempting offer (30% off your next order) and inviting you to click on the attached malicious link.
4.Vishing
Also known as voice phishing, vishing is a phishing attempt that is carried out through a phone call. In most cases, the scammer leaves an automated voicemail that urges the victim to take immediate action.
People who engage in vishing typically impersonate a legitimate institution, such as a government entity or bank. They will say, for example, that the victim’s credit card has recently been the subject of suspicious activity or that a tax bill needs to be paid before it causes further problems.
5. Evil Twin Phishing
This type of phishing involves a cybercriminal setting up a Wi-Fi network that appears legitimate, but in fact is not. Once a victim connects to this network, they are directed to a phishing site where they are usually asked to provide their personal information. Hackers can then use this information to their own advantage.
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