We all have heard of the term “Spear Phishing” and just assume that it is the same thing as just phishing. It is in a similar category, but it is a different form of phishing that exceeds the broad range of cyber-attacks.
Let’s take this image and use it as a metaphor to help better understand the terms.
When you are fishing and you aren’t targeting one particular fish, you are open to a broad range of different fish and aren’t specific about what you catch. You use your basic line and hook to see what you catch in the heat of the moment.
When you are out spearfishing, you want a particular fish and the spear targets the exact fish you are looking for and can reel it in. You do research on the specific fish you are looking for and get all the right equipment together. when you see it and the time is right, you go right for it and attack.
THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPEAR PHISHING AND PHISHING!
Phishing is using a broad-stroke approach that involves sending bulk emails to massive lists of unsuspecting contacts. Phishing doesn’t aim for a specific target but hopes that a target will just go in and fall for the bait they lie within the email.
Spear Phishing is targeted and personalized to a specific individual, group, or organization. They send emails to specific and well-researched targets while acting as a trusted sender. The goal is to either infect devices with malware or convince their victims to hand over information or money.
What you do to prevent spear phishing or any form of phishing
Having the proper cybersecurity tools will help keep your information safe and secure. From Managed Endpoint Protection to Advanced Email Security, having the right tools will help monitor your email as well as keep you protected from spam and phishing attempts.
Finishing email security by being able to identify phishing attempts is very helpful in staying alert against such attacks. Phishing training for you and your team will help identify different ways hackers will attempt to maliciously attack your company.
Knowing how to maneuver from being attacked by these malicious attacks will help decrease the risk of having a data breach.
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