Phishing is one of the oldest and most pervasive cyber threats, yet it continues to evolve in sophistication. Phishing attacks typically come in the form of emails, text messages, or phone calls that appear to come from a trusted source—such as a bank, online retailer, or even a colleague—aimed at tricking the victim into revealing personal information, login credentials, or payment details. The goal of the attacker is to steal the victim’s sensitive information, such as bank account numbers, credit card information, or login credentials to corporate systems, and use it for fraudulent activities.
In recent years, phishing attacks have become much more convincing. Attackers no longer just send generic messages with misspelled words and vague language. Today’s phishing emails are designed to appear almost identical to legitimate communication from trusted organizations. Cybercriminals often spoof email addresses to mimic those of real companies, and they may even use social media to research their victims and tailor their messages with personalized details to make them appear even more legitimate.
The consequences of falling victim to a phishing scam can be severe. Victims may have their personal or financial information stolen and used for identity theft. In a business context, a successful phishing attack can give attackers access to corporate systems, steal intellectual property, or even lead to more serious attacks, like ransomware or data breaches. Phishing campaigns can also be used to install malware on an organization’s network, further compromising security.
Phishing attacks are not only limited to email. Text message phishing, also known as “smishing,” and voice phishing, or “vishing,” are growing threats as well. In a smishing attack, cybercriminals use fake text messages to lure victims into clicking a malicious link or calling a fake phone number. Vishing involves phone calls where attackers impersonate trusted organizations and request sensitive information.
