Types of Phishing Attacks with Examples

17 September 2024

Phishing attacks are among the most advanced cybersecurity threats. The purpose of this article is to explain various phishing types so that readers know how to spot and combat the attacks.

Different Types of Phishing Attacks You Need to Know

1. Whaling

The most sophisticated kind of phishing is whaling - which targets CEOs, CFOs, or other executives. Attackers design targeted messages often using information from public sources or previous breaches. This is to trick these powerful figures into signing large financial deals or disclosing company information.

Example: A hacker sends an email claiming to be a legal advisor to a company CEO. A fake invoice for an urgent legal matter is attached asking for immediate payment. As he believes the message is genuine, the CEO authorises the transfer of funds - a financial loss ensues.

By deploying Computer Monitoring & Management, you may prevent such sophisticated assaults by ensuring real-time monitoring of your systems and identifying strange actions before they become serious breaches.

2. Spear Phishing

This type of Phishing is a targeted attack against people or organisations. Attackers collect personal data about their targets - job titles, interests or recent activities - to craft personalised and convincing messages.

Example: A hacker searches an employee's social media profiles and finds out about their vacation. They write an email pretending to be from their travel agency and offer to refund you for a cancelled flight. A malicious link in the email instals malware on the employee's device when clicked.

3. Smishing

This form of phishing uses SMS messages to trick victims. Text messages from attackers contain fraudulent links or requests for personal information. It works because text messages often make you feel urgent.

Example: Scammers text the recipient saying a bank account has been compromised. The message links to a fake Web site that allegedly allows login credentials to be stolen. Victims may fall for this con and give their banking details anyway.

For Smishing type of targeted attacks, Business Antivirus Solutions provides multi-layered defences to stop threats before they spread.

4. Vishing

Voice-Based phishing aka Vishing uses phone calls to trick victims. These could be technical support staff, government officials or other trusted parties that seek out private information.

Example: A victim is called by an attacker claiming to be from their company's IT department. They tell a victim that their computer is infected with malware and request remote access to repair it. When allowed access, an attacker could install malware or get personal information.

5. Email Phishing

Email phishing is one of the most common and widespread Phishing attacks. Attackers post emails claiming to come from banks, e-commerce sites or government agencies. These emails often contain harmful files or links to steal personal data.

Example: Using a fake online retailer discount, a hacker sends an email claiming to be that retailer. It also links to a fake Website that looks like the retailer's login page. The attacker stores information about victims entering their credentials for fraudulent purposes.

6. Advanced Fee Scam

This advanced fee scam promises victims a large sum of money or other valuable rewards in return for an initial payment or personal information. The attackers may use emotional triggers and urgency to tempt victims.

Example: A hacker sends an email claiming the recipient has won a foreign lottery but must pay a processing fee. It also links to a fake payment portal where victims enter their financial information knowingly.

7. Angler Phishing

A relatively new and sinister attack type called Angler Phishing targets social media users. Attackers create fake customer support accounts for fictitious companies and contact users who post complaints or inquiries.

Example: A scammer fakes a customer support account for a streaming service. Respond to a user complaining of billing issues by offering to fix the problem with login credentials verification. Interested users may fall for this ploy and grant access to their accounts.

Businesses can seek services of  IT Service Desk to manage customer interactions and verify support requests so users aren't fooled by fake accounts.

8. HTTPS Phishing

The trust in secure websites is often abused by HTTPS  phishing. The attackers create fake websites that look legitimate and secure. Violations may be achieved by malicious links or search engine optimization.

Example: Hacker creates a fake banking site with an SSL certificate that looks secure. Their SEO tactics get the site ranked highly for popular banking queries. User login credentials may be entered on the site thinking it is their bank's official Web site.

Practical Measures to Prevent Phishing Attacks  

• Deploy Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): All critical accounts should use MFA. Even if a password is cracked, MFA requires additional verification that only the genuine user should have access to.
• Secure Your Wi-Fi Connections: Use unprotected public Wi-Fi for sensitive information only. Using a VPN to encrypt your internet connection on public networks is recommended where necessary.
• SSL Inspection: Check that the sites you go to are SSL - marked - look for HTTPS in the URL. This ensures that the site is secure and your data is protected during transmission.

Conclusion: Safeguarding Your Digital World

What we saw here about phishing attacks in different forms shows that cybercriminals are constantly evolving their techniques. From whaling to phishing, they exploit human psychology and technology weaknesses.

Renaissance UK is your partner in the fight against phishing - whether you need robust antivirus software, regular penetration testing, or employee training on phishing awareness. Don't relax; Contact us now for digital defences and data protection.