In the dark ages of the internet, phishing attacks were almost comical in their simplicity. The game has changed, though, and phishing attacks have grown in sophistication far beyond a poorly worded email.
Cybercriminals use advanced technology, including automation and AI, to launch complex attacks that are much harder for both victims and email security software to detect. In this article, we will examine newer, more dangerous kinds of phishing attacks and what you can do to avoid them.
The advanced phishing attacks plaguing the internet
According to the FBI’s annual Internet Crime Report, phishing is still a leading cyberattack, contributing to the loss of $16 billion in 2024 in the United States alone, a 33% increase from the previous year.
How can damages continue to rise even after the development of advanced security tools? The answer (still) is human error. It’s easy to fall for the new tricks of phishing scammers if you haven’t been educated on them, so here are some to look out for.
Fake login pages (man-in-the-middle attacks)
Multifactor authentication (MFA) used to be touted as the silver bullet for phishing attacks, preventing a stolen password from being used maliciously. Now, though, scammers are creating fake websites and portals that resemble legitimate ones. These fake sites also connect to the legitimate ones, but when you log in through this “middleman” app or website, it records not only your password but your MFA codes and credentials as well.
These fake websites are often delivered via malicious links in emails or social media posts/messages. Always double check suspicious links, and only log in through verified, official apps using multiple authentication methods.
Vishing (voice phishing)
With advanced AI and voice modification technology, cybercriminals are calling victims directly, posing as executives, support technicians, or even government officials. These attacks prey on the victim’s wariness of technology and trust in traditional, seemingly analog communication methods.
The tactics are the same, however, as cybercriminals will ask for login details, financial information, or other sensitive data, typically taking on an urgent or aggressive tone to get you to act before you think.
Multichannel phishing
Your workforce uses more than just email to communicate these days, and cybercriminals know it. Phishing attacks have expanded to other channels to reach more victims, as many people know about the risks of malicious emails but still trust other digital channels as “safe.”
Phishing scammers have extended their tactics to social media platforms and even internal communications platforms such as Slack or Teams. Just because a link is sent from a seemingly trustworthy person on a messaging app doesn’t mean it can’t be a phishing attack. Configure your apps to prevent unknown senders from delivering unsolicited messages for extra security.
Quishing (QR code phishing)
Cybercriminals have taken advantage of the rise in QR codes in daily life. The scammer creates a QR code that leads to a fake site or a malicious download, and puts the code on a fake flyer, brochure, business card, or anything else a victim might stumble across. Once you scan the code, the cybercriminal has an easy time collecting your private information or infiltrating your workplace network.
Scanning a QR code without thinking about it is akin to clicking on a random link in an email from an unknown sender. Verify the source of any QR code before scanning, and do not assume that whatever is on the other side is safe. Check for the telltale signs of a scam website or app:
- Bad grammar and English
- Broken links for About Us or Contact Us pages
- Incorrect or low-quality webpage assets, such as brand logos or pictures
- Requests to install unknown and unverified apps on your device
So, how can you protect yourself from advanced phishing attacks?
Cybersecurity tools designed to prevent phishing attacks are a good start, but human error continues to be the leading cause of data breaches. The only way to fix that problem is with security awareness training that teaches your employees how to spot, prevent, and report phishing attempts.
For expert phishing prevention training delivered by experienced cybersecurity specialists, contact SpectrumWise. We provide thorough, up-to-date, and engaging security awareness training programs to keep your people and assets safe from even the most sophisticated phishing attacks.