What is Phishing?
Phishing is a type of cyber attack where attackers impersonate legitimate organizations to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and financial details. The main goal of phishing is to steal personal and financial information for malicious purposes.
Types of Phishing
- Email Phishing: Attackers send fake emails pretending to be from trusted sources to trick recipients into clicking on malicious links or sharing personal information.
- Smishing: Phishing attacks through SMS, where users receive text messages with malicious links or content.
- Pharming: Redirecting users to fake websites by manipulating DNS settings or through malware.
Examples of Phishing
A common phishing example is receiving an email that appears to be from a bank, asking you to update your account information by clicking on a link. The link redirects you to a fake website which collects your login credentials.
Case Studies
- Google Phishing Attack: In 2017, a sophisticated phishing attack targeting Google users through a fake Google Docs app gained access to thousands of accounts.
- IRS Phishing Scam: Scammers impersonated the IRS in emails claiming recipients owed back taxes and required immediate payment.
Statistics on Phishing
– Phishing attacks have increased by 65% in the past year.
– 76% of organizations experienced a phishing attack in 2020.
– The average cost of a successful phishing attack for a large organization is $1.6 million.
