Spear Phishing
What is it and how can we defend against them
Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing attack where cybercriminals tailor their deceptive messages to a specific individual, organisation, or business. Unlike general phishing, which casts a wide net hoping someone will fall for the scam, spear phishing is highly personalised and often more convincing, making it significantly more dangerous.
Here's how it works:
- Research: The attacker gathers detailed information about the target—such as their name, job title, work relationships, recent activities, or interests – often using social media, company websites, or data breaches.
- Crafting the Message: Using this information, the attacker creates a believable email or message that appears to come from a trusted source, like a colleague, boss, or business partner.
- Deception: The message may contain a malicious link, an infected attachment, or a request for sensitive information (like login credentials or financial data).
- Execution: Once the victim clicks the link or responds, the attacker gains access to confidential data, installs malware, or initiates further attacks within the organisation.
Why Spear Phishing is dangerous:
- Highly convincing: Because it’s personalised, it’s harder to detect.
- Targets high-value individuals: Often aimed at executives, finance staff, or IT administrators.
- Can lead to major breaches: Many large-scale cyberattacks and data breaches begin with a successful spear phishing email.
How to protect against Spear Phishing:
- Verify requests: Always double-check unexpected or sensitive requests, especially those involving money or credentials.
- Be cautious with links and attachments: Even if the email looks legitimate, hover over links to see where they lead and avoid downloading unexpected files.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA): Adds an extra layer of security even if credentials are compromised.
- Educate employees: Regular training helps users recognise and report suspicious messages.
- Keep systems updated: Patch vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit.