Introduction
Phishing attacks have become one of the most prevalent threats in the digital environment. Through fraudulent emails, links and attachments, cybercriminals attempt to steal personal information, passwords and banking details. In this article, we'll look at how to recognize such cyber threats and what steps to take to prevent them.
What is phishing? The psychological aspects of phishing attacks.Phishing is a type of social engineering where attackers send fake emails, texts or messages posing as legitimate organisations. Their goal is to trick you into providing confidential data, such as passwords, banking details or clicking on malicious links, or in short:
- Definition: Social engineering aimed at fraudulently obtaining sensitive information through false communications.
- Purpose: Data theft, malware infection, or financial fraud.
- Channel: Emails, SMS (sms), calls (vishing), social networks.
Phishing uses social engineering, manipulating human psychology. Attackers use fear, curiosity or trust to trick us. For example, an email from "your boss" asking you to wire money urgently can get you to act without checking.
Basic signs of a phishing email
- Unexpected sender: Mail from "your bank," from a company with which you have no relationship.
- Mistakes in the text: Spelling and grammatical errors, inaccuracies in the company name.
- Accuracy and threats: "Your account will be blocked!"
- Suspicious links: Appear legitimate, but point to someone else's domain.
- Patched .exe/.zip/.scr/.pdf files: Often contain malicious code.
Real examples of phishing attacks
Example 1: Email from "Fraudulent Bank"
- Description:The recipient receives an email claiming to be from "Bulgarian Credit Bank" with the bank's logo and a link to confirm the account.
- Details: The link actually leads to the domain bkbanka-secure.com. A username and password are required when clicked.
- Lesson: Always check the domain behind the link, and if in doubt, log in through the official website or call the familiar phone number.
Example 2: Payment order attachment
- Description: The company receives an email, seemingly from a colleague, sent to the entire department, with an attachment receiving "Invoice_Order_3456.zip".
- Details: The file unzips a remote access Trojan (RAT).
- Lesson: Do not open attached archives without first confirming the source. Set your corporate antivirus to automatically scan .zip and .exe files.
Example 3: The attack on PayPal users
In 2020, thousands of PayPal users received emails that appeared to have been sent from their official address. The messages warned of "suspicious activity" in the account and urged recipients to click a link to "confirm their identity." The link led to a fake PayPal-like website where victims entered their login details. The result? Thousands of accounts were compromised, and some users lost significant amounts of money.
Example 4: The phishing campaign against Google DocsIn 2017, cybercriminals sent emails that appeared to be invitations to share Google Docs files. Recipients were prompted to click on a link to view the document. Instead, they gave the attackers access to their Google accounts. This attack affected millions of users and showed how convincing phishing messages can be.
Consequences of phishing attacks
If you fall victim to phishing, the consequences can be serious:
- Identity theft: Attackers can use your personal information to commit fraud.
- Financial loss: Stolen bank details lead to drained accounts.
- Compromised devices: Malware can infect your computer or phone.
Steps to prevent phishing attacks
Some practical steps to protect yourself
| Measure | What to do |
|---|---|
| Training and awareness | Regularly train employees and share tips with loved ones |
| Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) | Implement 2FA for access to key systems. This adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts. |
| Antivirus and anti-spam solutions | Update software and filter rules constantly. |
| Test phishing campaigns | Simulate attacks to increase vigilance. |
| Security Policy | Formalize procedures for reporting suspicious messages. |
| Do not click on suspicious links | If you are unsure, visit the site manually by typing the address into your browser. |
| Do not open attachments from strangers | They may contain viruses |
| Create strong passwords | Use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Make a habit of changing your passwords periodically |
The role of technology
- Email filters: Most email services (like Gmail) have built-in spam and phishing filters.
- Antivirus software: Programs like Norton or Bitdefender can detect and block malicious files and sites.
How to recognize phishing attacks?
Vigilance is the key to protection. Here are a few practical tips for recognizing suspicious emails:
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Check the sender
- Make sure the email address is legitimate (e.g. support@paypal.com, not support@paypa1.com).
- Watch out for minor spelling errors in the domain.
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Search for spelling and grammatical errors
- Phishing emails often contain misspellings or unnatural language - something legitimate companies avoid.
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Be attentive to urgency
- Messages such as "Your account will be blocked within 24 hours" aim to cause panic and a quick response.
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Check links or attachment
- Hover over the link. Hold your cursor over the link (without clicking) to see the real URL. If it looks suspicious, don't open it.
- Check tools: Use online scanners such as VirusTotal or another.
- Sandbox environment: If you are expecting something important and it looks suspicious to you, open suspicious files in an isolated virtual machine.
- Source Confirmation: Contact via another channel (phone, in-person meeting).
What to do if you get phished
- Immediately stop the contact: Do not reply or click.
- Changing passwords: Especially if you have entered data.
- Inform the IT department or service provider.
- Account monitoring: Check for unusual transactions.
- Reporting: Report to CERT.bg or the relevant regulator.
Conclusion
Remember that vigilance and awareness are the best defense against phishing attacks. Share this article with your loved ones and take action today!
Phishing attacks continue to evolve, but with the right awareness, technology and processes we can significantly reduce the risk. Follow the steps outlined, educate your team and put multi-factor defences in place to protect yourself from such scams. Identify suspicious emails, be wary of links and attachments, and use technology to your advantage. Share this article with your loved ones and take steps to protect yourself today!
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