Phishing Attacks and Phishing Scams – How to Recognize & Avoid?

Phishing attack – It is the technique of trying to collect personal info using deceptive e-mails and websites. It is the most infamous form of cyber-attack. It is deployed using social engineering strategies. To stop falling victim to such phishing attacks, it is significant to implement a cyber-security solution. 

What are phishing kits?

The accessibility of phishing kits makes it simple for cyber criminals, even those with minimal technical skills, to launch phishing campaigns. Phishing kit bundles website resources that require only are installed on a server. Once installed, all the attackers need to do is send our emails to potential victims. Phishing kits in addition to mailing lists are available on the dark web. 

Types of Phishing:

There is a variability of methods that fall under the umbrella of phishing. There a couple of different techniques to break attacks down into categories. Phishing emails can be targeted in several different techniques. Sometimes they aren’t targeted at all; emails are sent to lots of potential victims to try to trick them into logging in to fake versions of very popular websites.

Spear Phishing:

Spear Phishing has become a serious issue in the virtual business. This is a targeted attack, where sensitive details like financial info and credentials of online users are stolen. These details are stolen for malicious reasons. The attack is implemented on people who have bought recently from online stores.

Whaling:

Whaling is a common cyber-attack that happens when an attacker uses spear-phishing techniques to go after a large, high-profile target. Like all phishing attacks, an effective whaling attempt against a high-profile target, commonly under the appearance of an urgency. Its goal is to capture sensitive info, like credentials, that give the attacker a master key to a company’s intellectual stuff, client data, or other info that could be profitable if sold on black markets. 

Why Phishing increase during a crisis?

COVID – 19 has been sent to the unemployment line. Social effects caused by the global pandemic have resulted in the perfect storm and hackers with nothing but time on their hands. Hackers have more time to study. Hackers have greater motivation. Cybercrimes offer more grey areas than physical crime.

How to stop Phishing?

Protect your personal info:

To protect yourself from falling victim to a phishing con, it’s vital to be very careful with your personal data including your usernames and passwords.

Be careful of doubtful emails and do not click doubtful links:

• Be very suspicious of any emails you get
• If the email comprises a link, don’t click on it
• Instead of clicking on the link, type in the web address of the organisation into the browser to access the website.

Know the common Phishing language:

• Look out for common phishing language in messages like ‘Verify your account’.
• Genuine companies will not send you an email to ask for your login info or sensitive personal info
• Contact the company directly to ask about such emails rather than using any link or other contact info provided in the email.
• Be cautious of any email that does not address you directly.
• Several emails are sent out as spam messages to thousands at a time.

Whenever you get an email that looks suspicious, it is probably a phishing email. When in hesitation, just ask. You can find us easily on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and of course, via email.