Phishing attacks are malicious attempts to acquire private information by masquerading as a reliable entity on electronic communications platforms. This includes sensitive information like credit card numbers, login credentials, and other private data.

The channel for impersonation could be through emails, texts, fake website pages, or just malicious links on a pop-up. Having acquired these through various deceptive means, the hacker then accesses the victims’ assets and sensitive details.

According to Verizon, phishing attacks are perhaps the most common and dangerous cybersecurity issue globally. Its forms have evolved, becoming more complex and difficult to recognize as hackers get more clever.

In this piece, we’ll outline various phishing techniques, how they catch unsuspecting internet users, and steps to take for protection. So let’s dive in!

How Phishing Attacks Work

Phishing is based on the concept of social engineering. It involves cybercriminals playing on the psychology of their victims, manipulating them to release secret information.

Tactics of urgency or curiosity prompt immediate action, making the recipients less prone to scrutinizing the details.

For instance, a phishing email claiming that your bank account has been compromised prompting you to “CLICK HERE” to secure it. Of course, many would click that prompt without really stopping to weigh the message’s details.

Once clicked, the link redirects you to a website designed like your bank’s site where you enter your passwords. Now in the hackers; possession, it enables them to cart away with whatever sum is in your bank account. That is the concept of Social Engineering.

Types of Phishing Attacks

1) Email Phishing: The Most Common Type

Using this technique, hackers send bulk emails that appear to be from a legitimate organization. In the emails are links to fake websites prompting the recipients to input sensitive info.

This is the most common form of phishing attack. Hackers could also utilize these emails to send malware that infects and harvests private info and potentially fry the device.

2) Personalized Phishing Attacks: Spear Phishing

This targets a specific individual or an organization. Such attempts are more convincing as hackers use gathered personal info, making them appear more relevant and legitimate.

3) Clone Phishing

Here, hackers copy a legitimate email or message and send it to intended victims after subtle alterations. This involves swapping a legitimate link with a malicious link, making it more foolproof to the recipient.

How to Detect Phishing Links and Messages

1) Screen for Suspicious Email Addresses

Though they mimic an original domain, they contain slight alterations. For instance, an email from “cryptoclock.africa” could be staged as “cryptoc1ock.africa”. So screen for such subtle changes that would ordinarily go undetected.

2) Remember Social Engineering

Keep in mind that it is all about the psychology of manipulation, prompting users to take immediate action. Always remember that legitimate companies never use those channels to alert their customers to take action.

3) Examine a URL Before Clicking

Before clicking on a link in an email or message, hover your mouse pointer to preview the destination site. If any suspicious website or link, do not click.

Steps to Avoid Phishing Attacks

1) Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Even if hackers obtain your login credentials, they cannot access your accounts due to the extra security layers.

2) Do not Click on Links or Download Attachments from Unverified Sources

Always verify a source before interacting with any email or message from it.

3) Use Anti-Phishing Features

These are available on most browsers and email applications as built-in options. Notably, they warn users when they are about to visit a potentially malicious website, so enable these options.

4) Regular Security Updates

While hackers keep devising new tricks, keep your software and security features up-to-date to eliminate vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

By staying vigilant and implementing the right security measures, we can significantly reduce the incidence of phishing attacks. Always screen for suspicious emails, enable MFA, and activate anti-phishing options to protect your assets and personal info from this global cyber threat.