Four Types of Phishing Attacks for Your Organization to be Aware of

May 26, 2022

As more businesses turn to digital and hybrid workspaces, the threat of a cyber-attack becomes more imminent. A common type of cyber-attack is a phishing attack, which can target both individuals and businesses of all sizes.

Blade Technologies, Inc. is a professional IT company with over 15 years of experience in cybersecurity and managed IT services. Over the years, we’ve seen our fair share of phishing attacks, which makes us an expert on the different types and how to avoid them.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is when a cybercriminal targets someone through emails, text messages, and calls. The phishing messages that the cybercriminal sends have one goal in mind: gaining access to a user’s business and personal data.

Four Different Types of Phishing Attacks

Email Phishing

Have you ever received an email about an offer that seemed too good to be true? Or an email asking for money or personal information? This is called email phishing, a type of phishing that is done through emails and can be quite complex.

The sender may be posing as someone needing financial aid or a salesperson wanting you to get the best deal possible – but don’t fall for it. This is a ploy to get your personal data.

Vishing

Phishing over the phone is called vishing, or voice phishing. Vishing refers to criminals posing as important companies, such as the IRS or financial institutions, to gain information about their victims.

Over the years, vishing schemes have gotten more complex, some involving voice-altering software or text messages.

Spear Phishing

This type of phishing attack is commonly seen on social media or through email. Spear-phishing is a targeted attack that typically requires more research than a standard phishing scheme. These hackers find information about the person they are targeting, such as their name or where they work.

After gaining some of your basic personal data, the hackers will then contact you acting as a trusted friend or company. These messages often contain links to fraudulent sites that ask for personal data. They can also include attachments, such as documents or images, which can install malware onto your computer.

The messages can be written with a sense of urgency, often trying to get a quick response or action from their target.

Whaling

Another type of phishing tactic is whaling, which is very similar to spear phishing but impersonates those working in higher management positions, such as CEO or financial managers.

These hackers pose as high-ranking officials to create a sense of urgency and surprise for their victims. People who receive these messages from their company’s CEO or direct manager could respond without a second thought, causing them to give valuable information to the hacker.

How to Prevent Phishing

Deploy a Data Breach Prevention Plan with Blade

The best way to stay safe from phishing attacks is to talk to Blade about our cybersecurity services. Our skilled team of IT professionals will work with you to determine how these attackers are working and the steps to take to stay protected.

We can also help to develop a plan for the worst-case scenario, or if your business’s proprietary information is leaked. Without Blade, deploying a data breach remediation plan can be difficult and costly, potentially setting your business back.

Keep Your Employees Informed

Keeping your employees informed is especially important if you find your business being targeted by cybercriminals. Encourage employees to talk about any strange emails or phone calls they receive, as it can play a key role in preventing someone else from falling for the phishing tactic.

Before responding to a strange email, text message, or phone call, keep these general rules in mind:

• Always be sure to check the sender’s email address or phone number
• Be skeptical rather than trusting
• Do not give sensitive data out to anyone unless you know for certain who the person is
• Make sure to report the phishing attempt to your company’s IT department

Stay Prepared with Blade’s Cyber Security Services

Technology is a powerful tool that helps each of us maintain and succeed in our business ventures. However, it can also be our downfall if we don’t take the necessary measures to protect ourselves from cybercriminals.

Blade Technologies, Inc. in St. Louis, MO can help your business stay on top of cyber security threats by monitoring and testing your IT environment for potential weaknesses. We worry about keeping your business safe from cyber threats, giving you the ability to put your full attention towards what actually matters: expanding your business.

Contact us today to learn more about our skilled cybersecurity solutions.