Whale phishing attacks are a type of cyberattack that involve tricking people into revealing personal information by posing as a trusted entity, such as a bank or email provider. The goal of these attacks is to steal personal information, such as login credentials or financial information. Whale phishing attacks are particularly dangerous because they can be difficult to detect and prevent. Victims may not even realize they’ve been attacked until it’s too late. In some cases, attackers have even managed to steal money from victims’ bank accounts. How can I protect myself from whale phishing attacks? The best way to protect yourself from whale phishing attacks is to be aware of the warning signs and take steps to avoid them. Here are some tips: Be suspicious of unsolicited emails or messages that seem too good to be true. If an email seems suspicious, don’t respond right away – instead, contact the sender directly and ask for more information about the offer. Don’t enter your personal information into any online forms without verifying that the entity you’re dealing with is legitimate. Check the company’s website and see if they have a verified profile with major credit reporting agencies. Also, look for reviews from other users before submitting any personal information. If you think you may have been targeted by a whale phishing attack, don’t panic – there are ways to protect yourself without revealing your confidential information. For example, you can create strong passwords and keep track of your account activity using security tools like antivirus software or browser extensions. ..
Whale Phishing Targets Businesses and Organizations
The biggest difference between a standard phishing attack and a whale phishing attack is how the scammer targets victims. While phishing attacks are sent out to hundreds or thousands of people at a time, whale phishing attacks are often far more targeted.
A whale phishing attack may target a single individual within a business using information garnered from within that organization. Scammers will put in more research to dupe their targets, which may involve studying hierarchies and company info online, or getting information from within the company itself.
For example, a scammer will usually pose as a high-level member of staff. This could be a manager or technician, or it could be the CEO or owner. Picking a figure of authority is crucial for the scam to work since the target (often lower-level employees) is more likely to fulfill a request without questioning it.
So in one scenario, a scammer may pose as a senior account manager, drawing an employee’s attention to an invoice that needs to be paid. The email may contain a link to an external website that is used to steal login credentials or contains instructions to make a payment to an account that is controlled by the scammer.
The end goals may be numerous, where scammers attempt to steal money, credentials, and plant malware. Over time this could lead to security problems, ransomware attacks, espionage, and of course a great deal of distress for those on the receiving end.
Whale Phishing Uses the Same Old Tactics
Whale phishing is essentially spear phishing with a bigger (usually corporate) payout. Spear phishing is a slightly more sophisticated version of standard phishing, where the scam is tailored to the target. A “whale” in this scenario is a bigger “catch” hence the term whaling or whale phishing.
While a whale phishing attack requires more effort and time on the scammer’s end, the tactics used are similar to a standard phishing attack. For example, the scammer may use a deceptive email address that is either spoofed or made to look very similar to an email address used by the person they are impersonating.
Since these attacks rely on a human component, whale phishing by phone is another common tactic (as it is in many phishing scams). Like phone calls, text messages may be used also just as they are in ever-growing smishing attacks. A less common tactic may include physical access, where the target is “baited” with a USB stick designed to deliver a payload.
Ultimately, being vigilant and skeptical is the best defense against this sort of attack.
Whale Phishing Isn’t New
This type of scam has been around for decades, and will likely continue to be a threat for many more. Awareness is key to avoiding this and many other types of scams, from Facebook Marketplace scams to Wordle impersonators. Check out our top tips for staying safe online.
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