Definition:

Phishing is a type of social engineering attack where a malicious actor tricks individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as passwords, emails, or financial details, by disguising themselves as a trusted entity.

Types of Phishing:

• Email Phishing: Scammers send emails posing as legitimate organizations, asking for sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details.
• Web Phishing: Scammers create fake websites that mimic legitimate ones to lure victims into providing their credentials.
• SMS Phishing: Scammers send text messages disguised as from a trusted sender requesting sensitive information.
• Social Media Phishing: Scammers use social media platforms to target individuals with fake messages or friend requests.
• Mail Phishing: Scammers intercept emails between a victim and a legitimate organization and insert malicious code or links.

Methods:

• Spoofing: Mimicking the appearance of a legitimate sender’s email address or website.
• Deceptive Messaging: Using persuasive language and urgency to trick victims into taking action.
• Exploitation of Social Engineering: Exploiting human emotions, such as fear, greed, or curiosity.
• Credential Harvesting: Stealing passwords and other credentials from victims.
• Malware Installation: Planting malware on victim computers to steal data or track their activities.

Prevention:

• Be cautious of suspicious emails and messages: Verify the sender’s identity and be wary of links or attachments from unknown sources.
• Use strong passwords and security measures: Use unique passwords and consider multi-factor authentication for added security.
• Be vigilant on social media: Be aware of unsolicited friend requests or messages and be cautious about providing personal information online.
• Install anti-phishing software: Use security software that can detect and block phishing attempts.
• Educate yourself: Stay informed about phishing techniques and scams.

Detection:

• Monitor your accounts and credit reports: Regularly check for unauthorized activity or suspicious changes.
• Be watchful for suspicious emails and website addresses: Pay attention to slight variations in email addresses or website domain names.
• Report scams: If you encounter a phishing attack, report it to the relevant authorities.