What is Phishing ?

Phishing is a scam where malicious actors attempt to gain access to your personal or financial information by pretending to be someone you trust. Phishing attacks can be carried out via email, phone or text. Attackers try to trick people into getting their passwords, phone numbers, email logins, or credit card numbers.

Types of Phishing Phishing attacks can be carried out through a variety of methods. Here are some common types of phishing:

Phishing

Phishing is an attack method that aims to mislead users into stealing their personal information or financial information. The term is derived from the combination of the words “fishing” and “phreaking” or “password harvesting”. Phishing attacks are usually carried out through fake emails, websites or messages. Attackers try to deceive you by pretending to be an institution or person you trust. These fake messages often say you need to take urgent action or update your personal information.

Spear Phishing

Spear phishing is a type of phishing done by targeting. Spear phishing refers to highly personalized attacks that target specific individuals, companies, or organizations. These attacks are designed to get the target to share sensitive details such as login credentials or credit card information or confidential company information.

Vishing

Vishing is a phishing method performed using voice communication tools. The term is a combination of the words “voice” and “phishing”. Vishing attacks are usually carried out via phone calls. In these types of attacks, malicious actors try to deceive their targets by pretending to be a corporate or government organization. Attackers pose as a trusted person or organization on the phone and often ask them to reveal personal information, bank account information, or credit card numbers.

SMS Phishing (Smishing)

SMS Phishing, or simply “Smishing,” is a subtype of phishing attack and is an attack method in which malicious actors send fake text messages to their victims, aiming to steal their personal information or financial information. The term is derived from the combination of the words “SMS” (Short Message Service) and “phishing”. Smishing attacks are usually carried out through fake SMS messages with sender names pretending to be a fake person or organization. These messages may contain content directing recipients to take urgent action or update personal information. For example, you may receive a fake bank SMS warning you that you need to update your account information.

Angler Phishing

This type of phishing attack, called Angler Phishing or simply “Angler”, usually occurs on social media and other online platforms and aims to trap victims of malicious actors and steal their personal information or financial information. It is carried out through fake social media accounts or fake websites. Attackers approach their targets by pretending to be a fake person, often setting traps to obtain personal information or login credentials.

How to Detect Phishing?

Detecting phishing attacks is critical to your personal and business security. Here are some methods you can use to detect phishing attacks:

Check for Suspicious Emails: Examine incoming emails carefully. Be careful before opening emails from sources you don’t know or trust.

Verify Links: Carefully review links in emails or messages before clicking them. Avoid links from fake websites.

Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Be wary of messages or phone calls asking for personal or financial information. Use official contact information to contact government agencies.

Steps to Prevent Phishing

A phishing scam is a threat online that aims to steal personal information or financial information. To protect against phishing, you can follow these steps:

Avoid Suspicious or Malicious Links

Avoid clicking on links you don’t know or trust. If a link or website seems suspicious to you, refrain from sharing your information. Phishing messages often use misleading URLs, so check the links carefully.

Be Wary of Suspicious Emails and Text Messages

Phishers may pretend to be a legitimate business and ask for personal information or other login information. Be careful when you receive any suspicious email or text message, verify your information before sharing it.

Use and Update Strong, Complex Passwords

Protect your online accounts using strong passwords. Make your passwords complex with letters, numbers and symbols. Also, update your passwords regularly and avoid using the same password for different accounts.

Use Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an effective method that increases account security. It requires a second verification step in addition to the password. This helps keep your accounts safer.

Keep Devices and Software Updated

Update browsers, mobile devices and applications regularly. Updates close known vulnerabilities and make things harder for cybercriminals.

Verify Information Sources

Check the accuracy of the information received. If an information or quote seems suspicious, verify its source. If you receive a suspicious email or message, use official communication channels to verify the relevant agency.

By following these steps, you can be safer against phishing scams and protect your personal information. Remember that cybersecurity measures are important for everyone and being careful is always the best defense. Knowledge and awareness make you more resilient against potential threats and protect you from cyber attacks. Additionally, following current security practices and being aware of new threats will strengthen your defense in cyber security. Remember, it is solely your responsibility to protect your personal information, and these precautions will better prepare you for potential threats in the future.