Phishing: what you need to know about protection

Summary - Phishing is one of the most dangerous cyber threats, where attackers disguise themselves as trusted organizations to steal personal data and financial information. - Learn how to recognize suspicious messages by signs such as unusual URLs and urgent requests. - Discover the wide range of attacks - from classic email scams to sophisticated technological tricks - and how to protect yourself against them.

Why phishing remains a current threat

Phishing is one of the most common violations of cybersecurity in today's digital world. Bad actors use manipulative tactics to convince people to disclose confidential information. This form of social engineering has become even more deadly with the emergence of AI technologies, which allow criminals to create increasingly realistic messages.

The Mechanism of Phishing: How the Attack Works

Phishing relies on social engineering - a technique where the attacker manipulates the psychology of the victim. First, cybercriminals gather information about their target from public sources such as social networks and business directories. They then synthesize personal data to create a message that appears authentic.

Victims typically receive emails, SMS messages, or phone calls that appear to come from familiar contacts or well-known companies. The attacker includes a link or application that installs malware or directs the victim to a fake website. There, the user is persuaded to enter their credentials.

Modern cybercriminals use AI voice generators and chatbots to make their attacks indistinguishable from real communication. This adds complexity to defense and makes it more challenging for the average user to recognize the difference between a genuine and a fraudulent message.

How to identify a phishing attempt

Recognizing phishing emails can be difficult, but there are several unmistakable signs you should look for.

Typical danger signals

Check if the message contains unusual URLs - hover your mouse over the link to see the actual address without clicking. Be cautious with messages that create a sense of urgency or fear. Legitimate companies rarely ask for your personal information via email. Pay attention to grammatical and spelling errors - professional organizations rarely have such inaccuracies. Phishing emails often come from public email addresses rather than official corporate domains.

Financial and payment frauds

Attackers often impersonate well-known online payment systems, claiming that there is a problem with your account. They send “urgent” messages urging you to confirm your login details. It is vital to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity before clicking on any links.

The scammers also pose as banks, claiming there has been a security breach. Common tactics include fraudulent emails regarding money transfers, direct deposits for new employees, or urgent security updates.

Work and corporate phishing attacks

Personalized scams in which the attacker impersonates a CEO or financial manager. They request fund transfers or claim that there is an urgent purchase that needs to be approved. Voice phishing using AI technology is another method - the victim is called by phone from someone sounding like a real person who demands information.

Protection Against Phishing Attacks

Prevention is key. Never click directly on links in messages. Instead, go to the company's official website through your browser to verify the information. Use multilayered protection: antivirus software, firewalls, and spam filters.

It is critical for organizations to implement email authentication standards, such as DKIM ( identifying email by domain key ) and DMARC ( domain-based message authentication and reporting compliance ). This helps to prevent email address spoofing.

User education is crucial. Talk to your family and friends about the risks. Companies should conduct regular training for employees to recognize phishing techniques. Organizations like the Anti-Phishing Working Group Inc. provide resources and guidance.

Types of Phishing Attacks: Tactics and Variants

Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their methods. Here is an overview of the main types.

Phishing Cloning

The attacker copies the content of a previous legitimate email and sends it again with minor changes - usually with a new link to a malicious site. They may claim that the link has been updated or that the previous one has expired.

Targeted phishing (Spear phishing)

This type of attack is aimed at a specific person or organization. The attacker gathers information about the target (names of friends, family members, work details) and uses it for personalized manipulation. The attack is much more complex because it is specifically profiled for the victim.

DNS farming

The attacker compromises the DNS records, redirecting users from a legitimate website to a fake one. This is one of the most dangerous attacks, as DNS records are not under the user's control, leaving them helpless.

Whale Hunting

A specially targeted form of phishing aimed at influential and wealthy individuals - executives, government officials, well-known entrepreneurs.

Email Forgery

Phishing emails imitate communication from legitimate companies. They contain links to fraudulent websites, where malicious login pages collect credentials and personal information. They may contain Trojans, keyloggers, and other malicious scripts.

Website Redirects

Attackers exploit vulnerabilities and inject redirects that direct the user to a different URL. This can install malware on the device.

Typosquatting

Phishers use domains with spelling errors or slight variations to imitate legitimate websites. They hope that users will misspell or misread the address and fall into the trap.

Fake paid ads in the search

Attackers pay for ads that show up in search results using typosquatted domains. The site may even appear as the first result.

Watering hole attacks

The fishers analyze users, determine which websites they visit frequently, and attempt to inject malicious code. The next time the user visits this site, they are attacked.

Presentation and fake gifts

Attackers impersonate influential personalities on social media - either real or hacked verified accounts - and promote giveaways or engage in other fraudulent activities. Some time ago, such attacks primarily targeted Twitter and Reddit, but now they are aimed at Discord, X (Twitter) and Telegram.

Malicious applications

Scammers distribute applications that look like price trackers, cryptocurrency wallets, or other useful tools. They monitor your behavior or steal confidential information.

SMS and voice phishing

Text messages or voice calls that persuade the user to disclose personal information or click on a link. These methods are often more successful as people tend to be less critical of messages on their phones.

Phishing vs Farming: the Important Difference

Although some consider farming to be a type of phishing, they operate through different mechanisms. Phishing requires the victim to make a mistake - to click on a link or open an attachment. Farming, on the other hand, is more insidious - the victim only needs to attempt to access a legitimate website. If the DNS record is compromised, they are automatically redirected to a fake site.

Phishing in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space

While blockchain technology provides strong data protection due to its decentralized nature, users in the crypto space face specific threats. Cybercriminals focus on human vulnerabilities to gain access to private keys and login credentials.

Scammers may ask for your seed phrases (, wallet backup codes ), convince you to transfer funds to fake addresses, or install software that tracks your actions. In most cases, scams rely on human error. That’s why it’s crucial to stay vigilant and follow best security practices.

Conclusion

Understanding phishing and its methods is critical for protecting your personal and financial information in today's digital world. Combine reliable security, regular education, and constant awareness to strengthen your protection. Be cautious with your clicks, check URLs, and keep your software up to date. Always stay safe in the digital space!