Echo Secure AI - What is Phishing?

Phishing is one of the most prominent forms of social engineering cybercrime, exploiting human trust and vulnerability. Deceptive tactics are employed by threat actors to manipulate individuals into actions that compromise their security and that of their organisations.

These malicious attempts aim to extract sensitive information, from personal credentials like passwords and financial details to valuable proprietary data, and can even extend to granting unauthorised remote control over devices, leading to significant financial losses, reputational damage, and operational disruption. Understanding the multifaceted nature of phishing is the first crucial step in building a robust defence against this persistent threat.

Phishing attacks are a form of deception, a threat actor impersonating a trustworthy source. They can range from broad, mass campaigns targeting indiscriminately to highly focused attacks against specific organisations or employees (spear phishing). The attacker deploys a lure to manipulate the target into compromising their security - clicking a link, downloading an attachment, divulging confidential information, etc. Once the attacker has the desired information or control, they can use it for malicious purposes.

We replicate advanced phishing techniques in our Adversarial Phishing Simulations.

Email

Deception through email communications. The traditional and still most prominent method, these vary in complexity. The more sophisticated versions impersonate a trusted source, using realistic branding and relevant language and tone. Email phishing may include malicious attachments and links or urge action from the recipient.

Vishing

Vishing attacks are manipulation through voice calls. Threat actors impersonate legitimate entities like Managed Serviced Providers (MSPs), internal departments, suppliers, customers, etc. Attackers are increasingly leveraging AI to make these calls more convincing and difficult to detect. These calls typically request information from the target or persuade them to take specific actions.

Smishing

Smishing is a type of cyberattack using SMS messages. These trick targets, often leveraging a sense of urgency or authority and may contain malevolent links or requests for sensitive information. More advanced versions spoof numbers to ones the target will recognise, creating a convincing deception.

Quishing

Instead of relying on clicking links or downloading attachments like in traditional phishing, Quishing cyberattacks uses malicious QR codes. These may use authentic branding to impersonate a reputable organisation, but when scanned they can lead targets to phishing websites or trigger malware downloads.

Financial

Phishing attacks can exploit organisations' financial operations by replicating payment requests, fraudulent invoices, investment opportunities, or tax-related scams.

Technical

By posing as IT support or a Managed-Service Provider, threat actors can prey on organisations' digital operations. Targets may be sent fraudulent communications with software updates, warnings about compromised accounts, or notification of critical system errors to gain control of a target's device.

Social

Phishing attacks can build rapport, create a sense of obligation or exploit existing co-worker relations through impersonating colleagues, managers, or HR.

Phishing Simulations

We can replicate advanced Email Phishing, Vishing, Smishing and Quishing Campaigns.

Dedicated Phishing Domains

We use dedicated domains for our Advanced Phishing Simulations to create targeted assessments.

Export Findings

We have the ability to export the findings of simulation campaigns into your organisation's internal tools.

Training Webinars

Enhance your organisation's security awareness with training webinars delivered by our Offensive Security experts.

Dedicated Customer Success Manager

Assigned CSM to assist you with navigating the portal workflow, troubleshooting any technical issues, and addressing any queries you may have.

Technical and Lessons Learnt Debrief

Debrief with an Offensive Security Consultant to review your simulation results and provide remediation advice.

What is Phishing?

Understanding this Pervasive and Evolving Cyber Threat

Prepare your Organisation with Echo Secure

How Phishing Works

Multiple Attack Vectors

More Than Just an Inbox-Based Threat