Home Network Security Network Security Perimeter 81 23.07.2024 4 min read What Is Spear Phishing? Spear phishing is a highly personalized form of phishing where a team of hackers conducts extensive research on a person before sending a tailored phishing scam to them. Most of the time, hackers focus on an executive or someone they find public information about to make the scam more convincing. Perimeter 8123.07.20244 min readTable of ContentsThe Dangers of Spear PhishingHow Does Spear Phishing WorkHow to Identify and Prevent Spear PhishingCreate a Bulletproof Security Strategy with Perimeter 81 The Dangers of Spear Phishing Spear phishing is a dangerous form of phishing, one that far surpasses normal phishing threats in complexity and risk. In spear phishing, groups of hackers could spend weeks of time on one single profile, gathering as much data as possible to make a convincing phishing attempt. As the attack surface of a business is so large, with potentially hundreds of high-level managers to target, every company could be at risk. Due to how natural these malicious emails sound and how many layers of social proof or manipulation are involved, recipients of these suspicious emails are much more likely to fall for the phishing scam and then suffer the consequences. Here are the most likely impacts of spear phishing: Data Breaches: One of the most common damages that spear phishing causes is data breaches. Hackers will exfiltrate data from a company system or hold their servers hostage until the company pays a ransom. Malware Injections: Malware injections are where a user accidentally downloads malware files onto their computer through a phishing scam. Once these files are on a system, they can corrupt data or lead to a data breach. Account Hijacking: Especially if the target of the attack is someone in business, spear phishing could be used to hijack accounts, either for nefarious purposes or to sell to other cybercriminals. How Does Spear Phishing Work Here are three steps that summarize how spear phishing works: Researching: The research phase involves malicious actors gathering information on a person, like how they spend their time, hobbies they might have, the names of family or friends, and email addresses of people they are normally in contact with. Crafting: By using the information they acquired in the research phase, malicious actors will then carefully craft a believable spear phishing email. This email could come from an address that is almost identical to the executive’s assistant, or maybe even from an address that resembles a close friend’s name. It will then use other information to create believable copy that may lull the excessive into a false sense of security, resulting in them clicking the link. Corresponding: After polishing the spear phishing email, the team will then send it out to an executive. If successful, they will then seize the account and begin using it to steal data or break into company systems. If unsuccessful, teams may try again using different research they have on a person or move on to a different executive. As it only takes one successful email to make them a significant amount of money, they have the resources to keep trying until someone falls for their scam. Supercharge Your Business Security Request Demo Start Now How to Identify and Prevent Spear Phishing The most effective way to prevent spear phishing is to rely on a comprehensive security system that will monitor incoming streams of communication and identify any malicious links or files. These security systems are native to many email providers but can be enhanced by partnering with a more extensive cybersecurity solution. A cybersecurity solution will help your business reduce the number of spear phishing emails that reach your executives. But, you can also couple this with executive security awareness training to give your staff the skills they need to recognize spear phishing threats. Basic training helps them understand how to carefully check the email address of the sender, hover over links and read where they are directed before clicking, and use virus scanners on all documents. Together, education and security software can keep you safe from spear phishing. Create a Bulletproof Security Strategy with Perimeter 81 Spear phishing can be a significant problem for businesses, no matter their size. As these phishing emails prey on the naivety of executives, it could only take one small click to unravel disastrous consequences. Perimeter 81 minimizes the possibility of a successful spear phishing attack immobilizing your organization by compounding your existing defenses with advanced phishing protection. Perimeter 81’s Secure Web Gateway acts as a barrier that keeps nefarious communication at bay, reducing the likelihood of a phishing email ever arriving in your executives’ inboxes. FAQs How do I detect spear phishing?Baseline cybersecurity tools will help to detect malicious links in emails and filter those emails out. However, the only way to detect a spear phishing attempt that slips through these firewall defenses is to carefully analyze the email and notice red flags, like email addresses that are slightly different from normal. How do social engineering tactics work in spear phishing attacks?Social engineering tactics manipulate people into performing actions or divulging confidential information. In spear phishing, hackers employ these tactics by creating a sense of urgency, trust, or curiosity to persuade victims to click on malicious attachments or links, leading to unauthorized access to systems or data theft. What are the common types of spear phishing attacks?Common types of spear phishing attacks include:CEO fraud (or Business Email Compromise): Hackers impersonate executives to deceive employees into transferring funds or sharing sensitive information.Whaling: A specific form of spear phishing targeting high-profile individuals like CEOs or other C-suite executives. How can I protect myself from spear phishing and other social engineering attacks?To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited emails, especially those with urgent requests or suspicious attachments.Verify the sender’s identity, avoid clicking on unfamiliar links, and keep your software and operating system up-to-date with the latest security patches. Additionally, consider implementing employee training programs to raise awareness about social engineering tactics. What should I do if I suspect a spear phishing attack?If you suspect a spear phishing attack, immediately report it to your security team. Do not click on any links or open any attachments in the suspicious email. Provide as much information as possible about the email to help your security team investigate and take appropriate action.Remember: Hackers often use social engineering to exploit human psychology. Staying vigilant and informed is crucial in protecting yourself and your organization from these threats. Do you have more questions? Let’s Book a Demo Related LinksAlways On VPNBusiness VPNDevSecOpsFirewall as a ServiceIPSECWhat Is The OSI Model?Wireguard VPNWhat is Zero Trust? Request Demo Start Now Looking for a Top-Notch Security for Your Business? Supercharge your Security today with Perimeter 81. 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