Phishing Attacks: Where, Why, And How Did It Happen?
This is a common term that is often mentioned when discussing cyber attacks or hackers. Phishing attacks are one of the most common methods to acquire data and information, but what is the purpose of a phishing attack?
WHAT is the purpose of a phishing attack?
The goal of a phishing attack is to fool users into disclosing their logins and passwords, enabling the attacker to scan the network or gain access to company resources. One of the primary purposes of doing this is to get a foothold in the device/network, giving them free rein to gather and find the information they want. This is mainly for financial gain (although sometimes it may be more sinister), so it could be credit card details or something more personal, such as personal information for them to sell on the dark web. Sometimes they may try to manipulate users into providing them with their bank details, or they may go down the malware route.
WHERE do phishing attacks occur?
Phishing scams can happen anywhere. They can occur through email, phone, online shopping, gaming, social media, and direct messages. Phishing trends include banking, romance scams, and event-based scams.
WHY do hackers use phishing attacks?
Phishing attacks are a type of social engineering tactic used by hackers to gain sensitive data such as passwords and credit card details. A phishing attack is typically carried out by sending emails or instant messages that appear to come from reputable sources, such as legitimate companies or banks. The message will often direct recipients to an illegitimate website where they may be asked to provide personal information that could be used for malicious purposes.
HOW and WHY do hackers use phishing attacks over other methods?
Criminals use phishing attacks because they are easier to execute than other social engineering methods. Some reasons they find them appealing include:
- Email is a widespread means of communication. However, users with little or no cyber security awareness are susceptible to email scams and phishing attacks.
- Criminals have found a way to target and exploit human nature rather than computer systems. They send out emails with links that appear to come from friends or businesses, with subjects designed to catch your interest or curiosity. Once you click the link, malicious code is installed onto your computer without your knowledge or consent.
- They don’t need to bypass strict security protocols, and they can avoid the complications associated with traveling.
- Spear phishing is a more targeted form of Phishing, whereas broad net attacks use spam or phishing emails to gain access to as many computers as possible.
- A sophisticated technique with many variants—Phishing, spear phishing, internal spearphishing—can be used to deliver various types of malicious code, including ransomware.
Popular is Phishing Email, Beware
This very recent incident happened to our CEO, Filip; as he shares his story on our Facebook account. He carefully review the email and look for particular malicious signs: typos, unofficial sender, unofficial hot line, multiple haste calls, asking for bank/payment verification details.
Even IT experts still get this kind of phishing emails. For an untrained mind and eyes, you could easily accept this as legit email. Beware of such. To learn more about this story and how you can train yourself in similar situation, kindly follow our Full story on Facebook.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the perfect time for each of us to take a moment and seriously reflect on security, what it means for our day-to-day experiences, and how we can all work together to keep our data safe. Learn more about our Network Security and Structured Cabling services.
We are living in the digital age where everything has become interconnected. But with this new technology comes new vulnerabilities – which means that everyone needs to understand the basics of securing their information online and preventing becoming a victim. This is especially true for small businesses that might not be able to afford enterprise-level security software and consumers who want to ensure would-be hackers do not steal their personal information. Through cyber awareness month and other online resources, we can help promote safer online habits, stand together against those who would harm us with never-ending innovation, and provide better ways to protect all of our valuable data, whether at work or at work play.
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