Phishing has become a cyber threat nowadays. In simple terms, it can be described as a means to steal user information by giving out bait. In phishing, the attacker disguises himself as a viable source which prompts the user to click a link. Once the link is tapped, malware or ransomware find entry into the user’s system. This malicious software is adept at stealing personal information and even stealing money.
At times, phishing is a means to gain entry into governmental or organizational networks for a larger attack later like an advanced persistent threat (APT). When this type of phishing attack is initiated, it incites the user to bypass security, let the malware enter a network, or access sensitive data.
When an organization is a victim of phishing, along with incurring economical losses it also losses customer trust and their shares and reputation dwindles. Depending on the magnitude of phishing, the organization may not be able to recuperate after the attack.
Instances of phishing scams
The scenarios given below are some examples of phishing attacks:
- A malicious email from myuniversity.edu is circulated among the faculties
- The email states the password shall expire and prompts the user to login to myuniversity.edu and access their accounts
- Once the link is tapped, this may occur:
- The user gets directed to a lookalike of the same page where the old and new password is asked
- The user is taken to the actual page but in between a script activates that lets the hacker access the personal info.
Phishing Methods
Email phishing
In email phishing, a large number of fraudulent mails is sent to large users. Once the victims fall prey to it, a large amount or some part of the money is stolen. There is a lot of techniques the attackers try to employ like copying the exact email of a trusted website.
They also toss a pinch of urgency instilling a sense of fear in the users. Although the scam emails may appear legitimate, they might have a spelling mistake which at first glance may be difficult to discern.
Spear phishing
Spear phishing is more detail-oriented as compared to email phishing. This type requires more information about the organization.
The mechanism adopted in this includes:
- The attacker tries to find the details of the employees and gain access to their projects
- The attacker then might send an email to the director stating a subject line having the name of the project
- There would be a link that takes them to a password-protected document having the attachment of the replica of the actual invoice
- The director would fill in the password and the attacker steals the information
Once the attacker gains the details, this is the first step of APT.
How to protect against phishing?
Phishing can be prevented in many ways. On an individual level, being vigilant is important. A fraudulent email usually has a typo, misspelt domain, and minute differences which may not appear in the first instance.
For organizations, the means to prevent attack includes:
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) is the best means to prevent phishing attacks. In 2FA, there is an additional security layer that asks for a password or an answer that only the user knows.
- Along with 2FA, password management policies are important. Policies like asking the user to change the password frequently help prevent the attack.
- Thereafter, educating the staff about phishing keeps these attacks at bay.
Phishing protection from SYSVOOT
SYSVOOT comes with phishing protection that prevents information of organizations from getting compromised. So install SYSVOOT now and keep phishing threats at bay.
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