Phishing is a deceptive internet threat designed to steal your personal information.
In a phishing attack, cybercriminals masquerade as a legitimate and trustworthy entity—like a bank, a government agency, or a familiar company—to trick you into divulging sensitive data. This form of social engineering preys on human psychology, using urgency and deception to convince victims to take actions they normally wouldn't.
How phishing attacks steal your information
A phishing campaign typically uses a malicious message, and the attacker's ultimate goal is to get the victim to take an action that benefits the hacker. The most common techniques include:
- Malicious web links: A fraudulent email or text message contains a link to an imposter website that looks convincingly legitimate. The site may mirror a real login page for a banking service or email provider, but any credentials or personal details you enter are sent directly to the criminal.
- Malicious attachments: An attacker can embed malware in what appears to be a harmless file, such as a PDF or a software update. Once you open the file, the malware is downloaded onto your device.
- Fraudulent data entry forms: These forms can be presented directly within a fake webpage, prompting you to fill in personal details like login credentials, credit card numbers, or your Social Security Number.
Common types of phishing attacks
Cybercriminals use various methods to execute their phishing attacks:
- Spear phishing: Instead of a mass email, this is a highly targeted attack sent to a specific individual or organization. The attacker uses personal information about the target to create a more convincing and personalized message.
- Whaling: A type of spear phishing that specifically targets high-profile individuals, such as CEOs or other senior executives. This is because executives have access to valuable data and can authorize large-scale financial transfers.
- Vishing: Also known as voice phishing, this attack is conducted over the phone. Scammers may use voice-changing software or spoof a caller ID to impersonate a legitimate representative, then use social engineering to convince the victim to reveal personal information.
- Smishing: A phishing attack that uses SMS (text) messages. These messages often contain a link to a malicious website or a phone number to call.
- Pharming: This advanced attack involves installing malware on a user's computer or compromising a DNS server to redirect users from a legitimate website to a fake one without their knowledge.
Malware threats to personal data
In many phishing attacks, the goal is to get a user to download malicious software, or malware, which is a broad term for programs designed to cause damage or steal data. Several types of malware are used to steal personal information:
- Spyware: As the name suggests, spyware secretly spies on your activities. It can record your keystrokes (keylogger), steal passwords and credit card numbers, and collect other sensitive information.
- Ransomware with exfiltration: Modern ransomware has evolved beyond simply encrypting your files for ransom. Attackers often first steal your sensitive data before encrypting it. They then threaten to publicly release the information or sell it on the dark web if you don't pay.
- Trojans: These malware programs disguise themselves as legitimate or harmless software. When a user is tricked into installing a Trojan, it can create vulnerabilities, allowing an attacker to access and steal sensitive data.
The consequences of personal data theft
The theft of personal information can lead to severe and damaging consequences for individuals:
- Financial loss: This can include fraudulent purchases on credit cards, unauthorized transfers from bank accounts, and other forms of financial fraud.
- Identity theft: With enough stolen information (e.g., Social Security number, name, address), a criminal can impersonate you to open new accounts, apply for loans, or file fraudulent tax returns.
- Privacy violations: Stolen data can be used for extortion or released publicly, causing significant emotional distress.
- Compromised accounts: Hackers can take over your email, social media, or other online accounts to send spam, spread further phishing scams, or access other connected services.
How to protect yourself
Protecting your personal information requires a multi-layered approach that includes both technological and behavioral precautions:
- Be skeptical of all unsolicited messages: If an email or text message creates a sense of urgency, asks for personal information, or contains suspicious links or attachments, do not click or respond.
- Verify the sender: If you receive a suspicious message, contact the company or individual directly using a phone number or website you know is legitimate—not the contact information provided in the message.
- Use strong and unique passwords: Use a complex, long password for every online account. A password manager can help you keep track of them.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): This provides an extra layer of security beyond just a password.
- Keep your software and applications updated: Regular updates patch security vulnerabilities that criminals can exploit.
- Install antivirus and firewall software: Use reputable security software to detect and block malware.
- Be cautious on public Wi-Fi: Avoid conducting sensitive transactions or entering personal information on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
- Monitor your accounts and credit reports: Regularly review your bank and credit card statements, and check your credit report for any suspicious activity.