Types of Email-Based Attacks

Understanding different attack types helps in recognition and defense:

Classic Phishing: Broad campaigns impersonating well-known brands. These cast wide nets hoping to catch unsuspecting victims through volume. Common themes include account verification, security alerts, and prize notifications.

Spear Phishing: Targeted attacks against specific individuals or organizations. Attackers research victims extensively, crafting messages that reference real projects, colleagues, or recent events. Success rates are much higher than generic phishing.

Whaling: Spear phishing targeting high-profile executives. These attacks often involve significant research and may span weeks or months. The potential payoff justifies the investment in crafting highly convincing campaigns.

Clone Phishing: Attackers create near-identical copies of legitimate emails, replacing links or attachments with malicious versions. These are particularly effective because they mimic previous legitimate communications.

Business Email Compromise (BEC): Sophisticated attacks where criminals impersonate executives or business partners to initiate fraudulent wire transfers or data theft. These often involve no malware, relying purely on social engineering.