PlexTrac ConceptsPhishing

Phishing is a social engineering technique that uses fraudulent emails, text messages, phone calls, or websites to entice people to share sensitive data, such as credentials, or download malware. The objective of social engineering is typically to gain privileges and to access further information.

Phishing works by tricking individuals into revealing sensitive or important information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal data. The typical process looks like the following:

1. Baiting the victim through deceptive emails, SMSs, phone calls, social media, or fraudulent websites. 
2. Tricking the individual into thinking an urgent issue must be addressed immediately. 
3. Leading to a fake website link or malware download that infects their devices or captures private information. 
4. Exploiting the gained information for identity theft, use on the dark web, or further compromising accounts. 

Some of the most common types of phishing include:

• Email Phishing: A deceptive email message entices an individual into revealing personal or confidential information to a malicious actor.
• Spear Phishing: An email or other digital communication is specifically targeted at an individual to get their attention and persuade them to take the suggested action, so the threat actor can use it to steal credentials or install malware.
• Vishing or Voice Phishing: A cybercriminal uses a phone call to trick individuals into thinking they are a person of authority, like a bank or IT representative, hoping to build trust and get access to sensitive data or an account. 
• Smishing: Using a cell phone, a threat actor sends a text message or SMS to gain access or get the individual to click on an infected link.
• Search Engine Phishing: By creating fake web pages, the cybercriminal targets specific keywords that guide the searcher toward their website.

Here are some helpful tips for identifying phishing emails: 

1. The email came from a public domain like @gmail.com, @hotmail.com, or @yahoo.com.
2. The email asks to confirm your identity or personal information.
3. There is a suspicious attachment included. 
4. The writing seems off — odd wording, grammar or spelling mistakes, misleading directions, or an implied sense of urgency. 
5. The email was unsolicited, and you didn’t subscribe to that sender. 

The best defense for phishing is a good offense. PlexTrac is the premier offensive security reporting and workflow management platform. By consolidating data, automating reporting, and prioritizing risks based on business impact, PlexTrac provides actionable insights that enable proactive, effective defense and remediation strategies.

Learn how we can help you or request a personalized demo today. 

5 Ways to Identify Malicious Phishing Emails

The Most Common Social Engineering Tactics in 2023 

Why Social Engineering Is So Effective

How to Contain, Identify, and Minimize a Targeted Attack

What is Penetration Testing? An Introduction to Pen Testing 

Defending Against AI Attacks 

Tips and Tactics to Defend Against Email Cyber Attacks

What is Ransomware?

The Primary Purpose of Penetration Testing

30 Things You Need to Know About Data Breaches

What Is Red Teaming?