Phishing Attacks & How to  Prevent Them

Last Updated: February 6th, 2024

Ranging from simple schemes to elaborate scams, phishing attacks have one goal: To lure a victim into unknowingly aiding the attacker. Dive into our guide to equip yourself with the insights needed to identify, counteract, and prevent phishing.

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What are phishing attacks?

Phishing attacks are a type of social engineering that aims to steal sensitive user information like usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and bank account details. Attackers impersonate a trusted entity to trick victims into opening an email, instant message, or a text message and clicking on a malicious link. This action could result in the installation of harmful malware, a ransomware attack, or the exposure of confidential information.

Much like a fisherman using bait to catch a fish, the attacker lures in the victim with a seemingly legitimate request or compelling content.

How does a phishing attack work?

Phishing attacks typically begin with a seemingly harmless email, text message, or phone call that appears to be from a trusted source, such as a reputable company or a known individual. This message or call usually contains a request or offers something enticing to lure the victim.

An attacker may craft a message that claims there’s a problem with your account or payment information, or they may offer a too-good-to-be-true deal to grab your attention. Phishing messages often contain a sense of urgency, compelling the recipients into immediate action, which may involve clicking on a link or opening an attachment.

When an unsuspecting user clicks on the link, it often leads to a fake website that mirrors a legitimate one. Here, the victims are prompted to enter sensitive information like login credentials, credit card details, or other personal information. Attackers design these sites to collect and steal this entered data.

Alternatively, the link may prompt the user to download a file, unbeknownst to the user, this downloaded file could be a malicious software or ‘malware’ ready to infiltrate the user’s system and extract sensitive information or cause further damage

Types of phishing attacks

Email phishing

Email phishing is one of the most common types of phishing attacks. Attackers send fraudulent emails to victims, often impersonating trusted organizations or individuals to deceive recipients into revealing sensitive data, typically by clicking on a malicious link. These emails often create a sense of urgency to trick victims into immediate action.
Spear phishing

Spear phishing is a more targeted version of email phishing where the attackers have a specific individual or organization in their crosshair. Instead of mass emails, the phisher tailors their attack to a particular person or group, utilizing personal details to appear more convincing.
Whaling attacks

Whaling, a subset of spear phishing, specifically targets high-level executives or important individuals within an organization. These attacks aim to steal personal data or gain access to sensitive corporate information and often involve more advanced tactics due to the high-value targets.
URL phishing

URL phishing is a form of phishing that involves the use of fraudulent URLs. Often these URLs are similar to those of legitimate websites, but with slight alterations or misspellings. Unsuspecting victims who click these URLs are then led to counterfeit sites where they are tricked into entering their confidential information, which the attacker collects.
Vishing (Phone Phishing)

Vishing attacks use phone calls or voice messages pretending to be from reputable businesses. The goal is the same - trick the target into providing personal information or financial details, often playing upon fear or offering enticing rewards.
Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Smishing involves the use of text messages to lure victims into divulging personal data or downloading malicious apps. The bait often comes in the form of a link or a phone number that the victim is urged to call or text.
Pharming

Pharming is a more technologically advanced form of phishing, redirecting users from a legitimate site to a fraudulent one, even if the correct URL is typed. Once redirected, any information entered, like usernames or passwords, falls into the hands of the attacker.

Common phishing techniques

Social engineering

In social engineering attacks, the attacker manipulates the user psychologically. It’s akin to a con artist sweet-talking you into giving away confidential information.

For instance, an attacker could email you pretending to be a disgruntled customer. In their complaint, they may include a malicious link, baiting you to click it to resolve the issue. Or, they may message you masquerading as a popular service or bank. This is why it’s critical to check and validate the source before clicking any links, even if they appear to be legitimate and from a trusted individual or brand.

Fake websites and login pages

Phishers commonly create fraudulent websites or login pages that mirror legitimate ones in look and feel. For instance, they might design a page that resembles a WordPress login page or a webmaster tool interface. Unsuspecting website owners, thinking these pages to be genuine, enter their credentials which are then harvested by the attackers. You’ll want to double-check landing page URLs before entering sensitive information in forms or checkout pages.

Email spoofing

With email spoofing, attackers create emails that seem to come from reputable sources, like your web hosting provider or a known contact. They forge the email header, masking their actual identity. For example, you may receive an email that appears to be from WordPress or your hosting company, prompting you to click a link or download an attachment. These actions may lead to unwanted malware or exposed personal data, so always verify the sender and be wary of suspicious emails.

Pop-up windows

Pop-up windows created by phishers can appear while you’re visiting a legitimate website where you might already be entering information—for instance, a window popping up while you’re entering data in your website’s admin panel, asking for further authentication or additional details. Remember, reputable services often do not collect user data via pop-ups. Be cautious before sharing information this way.

Malware and ransomware

In phishing attacks, attackers often trick users into downloading harmful software or malware onto their devices or servers. If you’re directed to a link that initially looks like your web hosting account or a tool used for website management and it asks for a download, be vigilant. It may be malware designed to steal your files, damage your server, or ransomware that locks access to your files until a ransom is paid.

Common questions about phishing

What is the impact of phishing?

Phishing attacks can spell disaster for individuals and organizations alike. For individuals, it can lead to unauthorized purchases and stolen bank accounts, or even identity theft. Phishing for corporations or government networks can lead to the distribution of malware, unauthorized access to secure data, financial losses, and erosion of consumer trust and reputation.

What should I do if I click on a phishing link and enter my information?

If you have reason to believe that you’re a victim of a phishing attack, it’s essential to take quick and decisive action to limit the potential harm. Here are the recommended steps to take following a phishing attack:

Report the incident. Flag any suspicious emails as phishing in your email client, which helps email providers identify and block such attempts in the future.
Notify relevant service providers. If you clicked on a link or gave away your credentials, promptly notify the relevant organization or service provider. If you handed out financial account details, such as your credit card or banking information, get in touch with your bank immediately.
Change your passwords. Changing your passwords promptly is crucial to preventing unauthorized access. If your email account credentials were compromised, this step becomes even more important because your email account can be used to reset other accounts’ passwords.
Monitor your accounts. Keep a close watch on your accounts for any suspicious activity. For example, set up website monitoring if you believe any of your website or cPanel accounts were affected. If you notice anything amiss or strange with your bank accounts, contact your bank immediately and report it.\
Enable two factor authentication. Enabling 2FA wherever possible will make it more difficult for the phisher to maintain unauthorized access to your accounts.
Update your software: Ensure all antivirus applications, website software, and third-party components are patched and up-to-date. Consider checking your website for malware if you believe your website accounts were affected. If you inadvertently downloaded malware to your computer, running an antivirus scan can help detect and remove it.
Contact local authorities: In certain cases, reporting a phishing attack to your local law enforcement might be necessary, especially if you have suffered a financial loss due to fraud or identity theft.

Always remember to question unsolicited requests for your personal information, even if they appear to be from a legitimate source.

How does phishing affect website owners?

As a website owner, you’re responsible for safeguarding not just your website and data, but also your visitors’ information. Phishing can pose significant risks in this context, including:

Unauthorized access to restricted areas
If attackers gain your administrative login details via phishing, they can gain unauthorized access to your website. They can then manipulate content, inject malicious codes, steal valuable data, or even lock you out of your own website.
Loss of personal or customer data
A successful phishing attack might lead to the loss of vital data. If you inadvertently reveal information related to your customers, this could lead to a breach of your customers’ accounts. The loss of such critical data can lead to significant reputational damage and could have legal implications.
Hijacking your website for phishing attacks
In some cases, phishing isn’t intended to target you specifically but rather to gain access to your website’s environment and use it for subsequent phishing attacks on users or customers. In essence, your website can become a launchpad for phishing, severely damaging your reputation and customer trust.
Compromised email accounts
If your business emails fall into the wrong hands, it can lead to a direct conversation between the hacker (impersonating you or your staff) and your customers, possibly leading to broader data theft.
Damage to business reputation
If your website becomes associated with phishing attacks, your brand reputation could take a major hit. This could lead to loss of business, as users might start to disassociate with your brand due to safety concerns.

Impacts of Phishing

How to prevent phishing attacks

Phishing prevention involves a multi-step approach combining technical safeguards and informed user behavior. Here are some measures both individuals and website owners can take to prevent falling victim to phishing attacks:

Be aware of common techniques and red flags. Awareness is key to preventing phishing attacks. Know the common signs of phishing emails and messages, such as a suspicious sender address, poor grammar and spelling, and requests for sensitive information.
Verify before clicking. If an email or message prompts you to click on a link or download an attachment, always double-check the source. Hover over the link to see the actual URL, and if it seems suspicious, do not click it.
Use secure browsing sessions. Stick to websites with a secured connection (look for HTTPS in the URL and the lock symbol). It’s safer not to enter any sensitive data into websites without these security indicators.
Regularly update your software. Ensure all your software, including your browser, antivirus software, and operating system, is up to date. Updates often contain patches for security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by phishing attempts.
Install an antivirus solution. A competent antivirus solution with internet security can protect you against phishing and other cyber threats. They can help block malicious websites and downloads.
Practice secure information handling. Never send sensitive information such as passwords or usernames via email. If users expect this kind of communication, they’re more likely to fall for phishing attempts.
Add security to your website. Use a website firewall, leverage security plugins, and install SSL for secure (HTTPS) connection to your site. Regularly update and patch all website software, including plugins and themes.
Regularly backup your website. This way, if a phishing attack does occur and malware is installed in your environment, you can easily restore your site to the state it was before the attack.
Monitor your site for indicators of compromise. Regularly scan and check your site for malware and signs of a compromise to ensure your site and server environment hasn’t been altered by an attacker.

Phishing attacks can be remarkably deceptive, but they’re not unbeatable. By staying vigilant, implementing safe practices, and using reliable security measures, you can keep your data and website protected against phishing attacks.