Phishing Attacks

What it is: A type of social engineering attack, typically executed via email (though other vectors like SMS – SMiShing – and voice calls – Vishing – exist), designed to deceive recipients into divulging sensitive information such as login credentials, financial details, personally identifiable information (PII), or to install malware on their systems. Sophistication ranges from mass-mailed generic attempts to highly targeted spear-phishing campaigns.

How it works: Attackers craft deceptive messages that often impersonate legitimate entities like banks, online retailers, or internal company departments. These messages typically create a sense of urgency or fear, prompting the victim to take immediate action, such as clicking a malicious link that leads to a fake login page designed to capture credentials, or opening an attachment containing malware. Advanced phishing attacks may employ techniques like domain spoofing, URL obfuscation, and embedded tracking pixels to enhance their credibility and monitor victim interaction.

Example with key data: In 2016, a sophisticated spear-phishing campaign targeted personnel within the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The emails, crafted to appear as legitimate security alerts from Google, directed recipients to a fake login page. Upon entering their credentials, the attackers gained access to their email accounts, leading to the exfiltration of a significant volume of sensitive data. Key indicators included subtle discrepancies in the sender’s email address (e.g., a slight misspelling of the domain) and the use of HTTPS on the fake login page to appear secure, a tactic increasingly common in advanced phishing attempts. The attackers leveraged the stolen credentials for further reconnaissance and lateral movement within the DNC network.