Understanding Phishing Attacks and How to Recognize Them [Updated 2024]

• 20 May, 2023
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Introduction:

IT Sector is evolving at a rapid pace with the emergence of cybercrime. Moreover, Phishing Attacks are some of the most brutal attacks in which a huge amount of victims get victimized. However, some professionals know how to recognize them and prevent them in time.

For that, this article will help you to learn how to perform several tasks to know how phishing attacks work & how you can recognize them before they could deceive you into becoming one of the victims. There are several techniques that you can learn to create an extra layer of protection against online threats like phishing attacks. Let’s continue!

What is a Phishing Attack?

Phishing attacks are specially executed malicious tricks by adversaries to manipulate victims into falling into the trap without thinking twice. After that, the victim loses their most confidential data into the hands of perpetrators, such as.

1. Usernames,
2. Passwords,
3. Credit Card Details, or
4. Social Security Numbers.

To do such as heinous crime, the adversary imitates an official related to the victim, such as.

• Banks,
• E-commerce Platforms,
• or government agencies,

They use such identities to exploit human weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to personal/ financial data.

Understanding Phishing Attacks and How to Recognize Them

If you get to know the techniques used by adversaries, you can ensure a perfect plan to prevent their attacks beforehand. Moreover, one will be able to enhance their security with the latest techniques & tools. Some things that one needs to know.

• Email-Based Phishing Attacks: Deceptive Messages from Unknown Senders

This is one of the most popular attacks in the history of cyber attacks, in which the adversary imitates one of the victim’s relatives while sending a malicious email to them. After which, the victim opens the email, and their systems get compromised. Follow the below paths to prevent it from happening.

• Suspicious Email Addresses:

Ensure to avoid unfamiliar/ suspicious email IDs, especially in case they are imitating a higher-up from banks/ govt. Agencies. You’ll see that the one who seems to be fishy is the one who uses a misspelled domain or a free email address.

• Urgent or Threatening Language:

In case you see an email that sounds threatening will definitely try to manipulate you to accept the orders from the adversary that is pulling the strings from behind. Don’t fall for emails including words like.

1. Evoke Fear,
2. Urgency, or
3. Emphasize Consequences for not cooperating.

Poor Grammar and Spelling:

Don’t fall for the emails containing the following word corrections.

1. Grammatical errors,
2. misspellings, or
3. awkward sentence structures.

Website Spoofing: Cloning Trusted Platforms

In this case, one will encounter fabricated build websites imitating the real ones. This makes the victim believe that the site is genuine and one can save their confidential data without any second doubt. You must see the following aspects for more security.

• Inaccurate URL:

If the URL doesn’t seem to be original or legitimate, you must find out about it. Don’t save your information without confirmation of its authenticity. See if there are any misspellings or additional characters in it. Moreover, see if you see “http” instead of “https” in their URLs, as the latter provides a secure connection.

• Poor Website Design:

You may see an unusual graphical infrastructure in the fabricated site that ensures it is a fake website or might glitch many times while you save your data.

• Absence of Security Certificates:

Popular websites have security features and certifications such as (SSL/ TLS) indicated with the icon “Secure.”

• Phone-Based Phishing: Manipulating Through Voice Calls

You might get a phishing call from an adversary who might act as a person connected to you. They may try to manipulate you to get your confidential data or drive you to fake websites. If you find something like the following, you are in a trap.

• Unsolicited Calls:

Don’t provide your personal or financial details over a call that asks you to provide such details for an important reason; it might be a scam that the adversaries execute to trap you.

• Caller ID Spoofing:

Adversaries can use a modified Caller ID to show it as an official number from a reputable firm. Don’t believe in a caller ID before checking its authenticity. If you have any doubts, cut the call and contact the organization’s toll-free number.

• Pressure Tactics:

The one who is calling you might pressurize you by showing you a scenario in which, in fear of losing something precious to you, you might provide the fishy person with an action that he might want from you. After that, you’ll be victimized. Thus, try to avoid such calls.

• Text Message Phishing: Deceptive Messages on Mobile Devices

The last trick one can use to manipulate you to provide your confidential information is through messages on the phone. If you get in interaction with such kinds of messages, you must consider following steps to be secure.

• Unknown Senders:

If you get any message from any unknown number, first check if it is from someone whom you know. Otherwise, it can be from an adversary who is trying to trap you into some actions that might not work in your favor.

• Requests for Personal Information:

In the message, if someone is asking for your confidential information, don’t reply to that conversation anymore. Leave the communication asap. It could be someone who wants your financial information to blackmail you for their ill intentions.

• Suspicious Links:

In the email, if you get any suspicious links, don’t click on them without verifying their legitimacy, as it could drive you to a fake website that is under the control of an adversary. After that, acquiring your personal data won’t be tough work to accomplish.

• Social Engineering Techniques: Manipulating Human Behavior

In this technique, the adversary uses two ways 1) passive and 2) active. One way leads to online sources where the data related to the victim is already published. Otherwise, the second way leads to physical contact. To distinguish between normal, you must consider the following aspects.

• Pretexting:

It may involve a message that could be someone in your close contact. It might be your friend or family member. This can be a direct hit that will confuse you to provide your confidential data without any suspicion.

• Personalization:

Another way is that they could get your contact data from your social media accounts or other online sources. After which, they’ll talk with you as they are a very close person to you and ask for your details to access your sensitive data or account.

• Emotional Manipulation:

They may try to contact you with the conversation, including strong emotions, such as excitement, curiosity, or fear, to compel individuals to act impulsively. Don’t be afraid in case you encounter such situations. Just make a call to the person on the contact number that you have already and confirm it.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Understanding Phishing Attacks and How to Recognize Them

1. How can I protect myself from phishing attacks?

Following are the ways you can protect yourself from phishing attacks.

1. Be Cautions with Emails,
2. Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links,
3. Verify Website Security,
4. Keep Software up to Date,
5. Use Strong and Unique Passwords,
6. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA),
7. Be Cautious on Social Media,
8. Educate Yourself,
9. Install Reputable Security Software, and
10. Report Phishing Attempts.

2. What should I do if I suspect a phishing attempt?

If you suspect a phishing attempt, here’s what you should do:

1. Do not click on any Links or Download any Attachments,
2. Do not provide Personal Information,
3. Verify the Source,
4. Report the Phishing Attempt,
5. Strengthen your Security, and
6. Educate Others.

3. How can I verify the authenticity of an email or website?

To verify the authenticity of an email or website, you can follow these steps.

1. Examine the email or website address (URL),
2. Verify the sender’s email address,
3. Look for spelling and grammatical errors,
4. Cross-Preference with Official Sources,
5. Check for Secure Connections,
6. Beware of urgent or threatening language,
7. Research the organization or individual, and
8. Trust your instincts.

4. Can phishing attacks target mobile devices?

Of course, mobile devices are no way far from being victimized by phishing attacks. Moreover, such devices are becoming even more of a likable target for adversaries to execute phishing attacks.

Here are a few ways that phishing attacks can target mobile devices

1. Smishing,
2. Malicious Apps,
3. Email Phishing,
4. URL Manipulation, and
5. Social Media & Messaging Apps.

5. What are some best practices for password security?

Here are some best practices for password security:

1. Use Strong & Unique Passwords,
2. Don’t reuse Passwords,
3. Consider using a password manager,
4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA),
5. Regularly change passwords,
6. Be Cautious of phishing attempts,
7. Keep passwords private,
8. Secure your devices,
9. Update your software, and
10. Monitor your accounts.

6. Can antivirus software protect against phishing attacks?

It’s a bit tough on antivirus to single-handedly handle every kind of attack on all of your devices. In case you get in contact with such an attack, it will help you in the detection and prevention of the following malware.

1. Viruses,
2. Trojans, and
3. ransomware

To increase your chances of preventing such attacks, you can follow the below aspects.

1. Phishing Awareness and Education,
2. Secure browsing practices,
3. Anti-Phishing Tools and Browser Extensions,
4. Email filters and Spam Protection, and
5. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

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