Phishing is a cybersecurity threat where attackers deceive individuals into providing sensitive information like login credentials or account details. With the increasing reliance on the internet for personal and business transactions, phishing remains one of the most prevalent threats, alongside malware, data breaches, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Understanding the various types of phishing attacks can help organizations and individuals safeguard their data and systems effectively.
1. Spear Phishing
Spear phishing targets a specific individual within an organization by gathering personal information, such as their name, position, and contact details, before launching the attack.
Example: An attacker targeted an employee at Virgin Media’s NTL World by impersonating HR and requesting the employee sign a new handbook, directing them to a malicious link.
2. Vishing
Vishing, short for “voice phishing,” uses phone calls to extract sensitive information by impersonating trusted individuals or representatives.
Example: In 2019, UK parliamentary staff were targeted by vishing campaigns, part of a broader assault involving 21 million spam emails.
3. Email Phishing
This involves sending fraudulent emails designed to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information via reply or external links.
Example: Hackers exploited LinkedIn to access contact information and launched an email phishing campaign targeting Sony employees, stealing over 100 terabytes of data.
4. HTTPS Phishing
Attackers send emails containing links to fake but secure-looking websites to deceive users into entering their credentials.
Example: The Scarlet Widow hacker group lured victims into clicking on deceptive links in seemingly legitimate emails.
5. Pharming
Pharming involves installing malicious code on a victim’s computer, redirecting them to fraudulent websites.
Example: In 2007, a global pharming attack targeted 50 financial institutions, redirecting users to fake sites to collect sensitive information.
6. Pop-Up Phishing
Pop-ups warn of fake security issues or offer enticing deals to trick users into downloading malware or sharing personal data.
Example: Fake AppleCare renewal offers have been used to deceive users into sharing sensitive details.
7. Evil Twin Phishing
Hackers create fake Wi-Fi networks mimicking legitimate ones to intercept sensitive user data.
Example: Russia’s GRU used evil twin attacks to steal credentials through counterfeit network access points.
8. Watering Hole Phishing
Hackers compromise frequently visited websites to infect users’ devices with malware or steal credentials.
Example: In 2012, the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations’ website was compromised, targeting high-profile users.
9. Whaling
Whaling focuses on high-ranking executives, leveraging their access to critical data and systems.
Example: An Australian hedge fund founder was duped into installing malware via a fake Zoom link, resulting in an $800,000 loss.
10. Clone Phishing
Attackers replicate legitimate emails and include malicious links, often under the guise of resending the original message.
Example: A hacker impersonated a CEO to lure a victim into continuing a prior conversation, inserting a malicious link.
11. Deceptive Phishing
This method employs fake company communication to convince users they are already under attack, urging them to act.
Example: Victims received emails from “support@apple.com” claiming their Apple ID was blocked, prompting them to validate their accounts.
12. Social Engineering
Psychological manipulation is used to pressure victims into disclosing sensitive data.
Example: An attacker posed as a Chase Bank representative, using fear of account restrictions to extract information.
13. Angler Phishing
Attackers use fake social media posts or accounts to obtain credentials or distribute malware.
Example: Hackers pretended to represent Domino’s Pizza on Twitter, tricking users into providing sensitive information under the pretext of refunds or rewards.
14. Smishing
Phishing via SMS or text messages to lure victims into disclosing personal information or clicking malicious links.
Example: Hackers posed as American Express, urging users to address urgent account issues via a fraudulent site.
15. Man-in-the-Middle (MiTM) Attacks
Hackers intercept data between two parties to steal credentials or sensitive information.
Example: In 2017, Equifax users were targeted through unsecured app connections, allowing hackers to capture login details.
16. Website Spoofing
Attackers create counterfeit websites resembling legitimate ones to deceive users into sharing credentials.
Example: Hackers mimicked Amazon’s website with a near-identical design and a deceptive URL to collect user information.
17. Domain Spoofing
Also known as DNS spoofing, this involves creating fake domains to trick users into divulging data.
Example: Hackers created a fraudulent LinkedIn site to harvest sensitive user information.
18. Image Phishing
Malicious images embedded with harmful code are used to infect devices or steal information.
Example: Hackers used AdGholas to hide malware within images, downloading it onto victims’ devices when clicked.
19. Search Engine Phishing
Fake products or deals are promoted through search engines to lure victims into providing sensitive data.
Example: Hackers impersonated Booking.com ads, directing users to fraudulent sites to steal login credentials.