Which of the following best describes the most common goal of a phishing attempt?

Spear phishing is a phishing method that targets specific individuals or groups within an organization. It is a potent variant of phishing, a malicious tactic which uses emails, social media, instant messaging, and other platforms to get users to divulge personal information or perform actions that cause network compromise, data loss, or financial loss. While phishing tactics may rely on shotgun methods that deliver mass emails to random individuals, spear phishing focuses on specific targets and involve prior research.

A typical spear phishing attack includes an email and attachment. The email includes information specific to the target, including the target's name and rank within the company. This social engineering tactic boosts the chances that the victim will carry out all the actions necessary for infection, including opening the email and the included attachment.

Spear Phishing and Targeted Attacks

Spear phishing is typically used in targeted attack campaigns to gain access to an individual’s account or impersonate a specific individual , such as a ranking official or those involved in confidential operations within the company. Trend Micro researchers found that more than 90 percent of targeted attacks in 2012 were derived from spear phishing emails.

Spear phishing attackers perform reconnaissance methods before launching their attacks. One way to do this is to gather multiple out-of-office notifications from a company to determine how they format their email addresses and find opportunities for targeted attack campaigns. Other attackers use social media and other publicly available sources to gather information.

How to Defend Against Spear Phishing Attacks

No matter where you are in the organizational structure, attackers may choose you as their next spear phishing target to snoop inside an organization. Here are some best practices to defend against spear phishing attacks:

  • Be wary of unsolicited mail and unexpected emails, especially those that call for urgency. Always verify with the person involved through a different means of communication, such as phone calls or face-to-face conversation.
  • Learn to recognize the basic tactics used in spear phishing emails, such as tax-related fraud, CEO fraud, business email compromise scams, and other social engineering tactics.
  • Refrain from clicking on links or downloading attachments in emails, especially from unknown sources.
  • Block threats that arrive via email using hosted email security and antispam protection.

Related terms: Phishing, whale phishing, spam, BEC

Related papers and primers :

  • Guarding Against The Spear: How Securing Email Can Stop Targeted Attacks
  • Covert Arrivals: Targeted Attacks via Employee Inboxes

Graphics

Which of the following best describes the most common goal of a phishing attempt?

Links :

https://www.trendmicro.com/cloud-content/us/pdfs/security-intelligence/white-papers/wp-spear-phishing-email-most-favored-apt-attack-bait.pdf

http://blog.trendmicro.com/anatomy-of-a-spear-phishing-attack/

http://newsroom.trendmicro.com/press-release/cyberthreat/over-90-percent-targeted-attacks-derived-spear-phishing-emails-according-t

http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/the-risks-of-the-out-of-office-notification/

Social Engineering Reference Sheet 

Which of the following best describes: PHISHING?

an act of pretending to be another person for the purpose of entertainment or deception.

hackers and attackers of all types imitate people, companies and even computers with the intent to trick people into giving up personal information in order to gain access to something valuable.

a kind of attack where a social engineer will use a false promise or reward to trap victims and steal their sensitive information by infecting their system with malware

the fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

to trick into believing or accepting as genuine something false and often preposterous

Which of the following best describes:  HOAXES?

the fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

to trick into believing or accepting as genuine something false and often preposterous

an act of pretending to be another person for the purpose of entertainment or fraud.

a kind of attack where a social engineer will use a false promise or reward to trap victims and steal their sensitive information by infecting their system with malware

hackers and attackers of all types imitate people, companies and even computers with the intent to trick people into giving up personal information in order to gain access to something valuable.

Which of the following best describes:  BAITING?

Question 3 options:

the fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

to trick into believing or accepting as genuine something false and often preposterous

an act of pretending to be another person for the purpose of entertainment or fraud.

a kind of attack where a social engineer will use a false promise or reward to trap victims and steal their sensitive information by infecting their system with malware

hackers and attackers of all types imitate people, companies and even computers with the intent to trick people into giving up personal information in order to gain access to something valuable.

Which of the following best describes:  SPOOFING?

Question 4 options:

to trick into believing or accepting as genuine something false and often preposterous

a kind of attack where a social engineer will use a false promise or reward to trap victims and steal their sensitive information by infecting their system with malware

an act of pretending to be another person for the purpose of entertainment or fraud.

the fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

hackers and attackers of all types imitate people, companies and even computers with the intent to trick people into giving up personal information in order to gain access to something valuable.

Which of the following best describes:  IMPERSONATION?

Question 5 options:

hackers and attackers of all types imitate people, companies and even computers with the intent to trick people into giving up personal information in order to gain access to something valuable.

an act of pretending to be another person for the purpose of entertainment or fraud.

the fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

to trick into believing or accepting as genuine something false and often preposterous

a kind of attack where a social engineer will use a false promise or reward to trap victims and steal their sensitive information by infecting their system with malware

Which of the following best describes the most common goal of a phishing attempt?

Which of the following best describes the most common goal of a phishing attempt?

Which of the following best describes the most common goal of a phishing attempt?

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    What is the goal of phishing attacks?

    Phishing is when attackers send malicious emails designed to trick people into falling for a scam. Typically, the intent is to get users to reveal financial information, system credentials or other sensitive data.

    What is a common of a phishing attempt?

    A common indicator of a phishing attempt is a suspicious attachment. The bad guys often use phishing emails to send these attachments because they know many people are curious enough to open them and click on whatever links or buttons they contain. These attachments may be a Word document or zip file, for example.

    What is the most common used method for phishing?

    The 5 most common types of phishing attack.
    Email phishing. Most phishing attacks are sent by email. ... .
    Spear phishing. There are two other, more sophisticated, types of phishing involving email. ... .
    Whaling. Whaling attacks are even more targeted, taking aim at senior executives. ... .
    Smishing and vishing. ... .
    Angler phishing..

    Which of the following are common features of a phishing attack?

    5 Characteristics of a Phishing Email.
    The email makes unrealistic threats or demands. Intimidation has become a popular tactic for phishing scams. ... .
    There's a catch. ... .
    Poor spelling and grammar. ... .
    A mismatched or dodgy URL. ... .
    You are asked for sensitive information..