Compared to 10–15 years ago, cybercriminals have gotten pretty crafty. Gone are the days when hackers only tried to break through firewalls with brute force attacks. Today’s cybercriminals are exploiting the human element. And that’s where phishing and social engineering come into play, and honestly, they’re becoming the go-to methods for digital bad actors worldwide.
Do you know that nearly 60% of organizations globally experienced a ransomware attack in 2024, with over 90% of businesses experiencing a phishing attack in the same year?
Social Engineering: The Art of Human Manipulation
Social engineering is psychological manipulation designed to trick people into giving away confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. It is actually a broad term that includes things like ransomware attacks, phishing, whaling, smishing, and scareware, among others.
These attacks work because they exploit fundamental human traits — our desire to be helpful, our tendency to trust authority figures, and our fear of getting in trouble. Social engineers are like digital con artists who study human psychology to make their scams more effective.
Phishing: The Digital Bait and Switch
Think of phishing as the online equivalent of a con artist pretending to be someone they’re not. These attacks typically involve sending fake emails, texts, or creating bogus websites that look legitimate — like they’re from your bank, favorite shopping site, or even your workplace.
The goal is to get you to hand over sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details.
The name “phishing” is a play on “fishing” — because these attackers are essentially casting a wide net hoping to catch unsuspecting victims. Pretty clever wordplay for criminals, right?
The Many Faces of Digital Deception Email Phishing: The Classic Approach
This is probably what most people think of when they hear “phishing.” You get an email that looks like it’s from a legitimate source — maybe your bank saying there’s a problem with your account, or a shipping company claiming they couldn’t deliver a package. The email usually contains a link to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials.
What makes these particularly tricky is how authentic they can look. Modern phishing emails often use official logos, proper formatting, and even mimic the writing style of legitimate companies.
Phishing emails are alarmingly effective. You may be surprised to learn that the median time for users to be compromised is under one minute.
Spear Phishing: The Targeted Strike
While regular phishing casts a wide net, spear phishing is more like using a sniper rifle. These attacks target specific individuals or organizations and are highly personalized. The attacker might spend weeks researching their target, gathering information from social media, company websites, and public records to craft a convincing message.
For example, they might send an email to a company’s CFO that appears to be from the CEO, requesting an urgent wire transfer. Because the email includes personal details and company-specific information, it seems legitimate.
Whaling: Going After the Big Fish
Whaling is spear phishing aimed at high-profile targets such as CEOs, politicians, or celebrities. The attacks are often extremely sophisticated because the potential payoff is huge. A successful whaling attack might give criminals access to an entire company’s financial systems or sensitive government information.
In the fall of 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment suffered a devastating phishing attack initiated the previous year. Hackers, impersonating Apple, sent emails to top executives containing a malicious link that prompted them to enter their Apple ID credentials. These stolen credentials were then used to gain employee login information and deploy “Wiper” malware, ultimately crippling Sony’s network, leading to the theft of over 100 terabytes of sensitive data, and costing the company over $100 million.
Vishing: Phishing Over the Phone
Voice phishing, or “vishing,” involves phone calls instead of emails. The caller might pretend to be from your bank’s fraud department, claiming they’ve detected suspicious activity on your account. They’ll then ask you to “verify” your account information, including passwords or PINs.
These calls can be particularly convincing because the caller might already have some of your personal information (obtained from data breaches or public records), making their story seem credible.
Smishing: SMS-Based Attacks
With smishing (SMS phishing), attackers send text messages containing malicious links or requesting personal information. These might look like package delivery notifications, bank alerts, or even COVID-related health updates. Since people tend to trust text messages more than emails, smishing can be surprisingly effective.
Pretexting: Creating False Scenarios
Pretexting involves creating a fabricated scenario to engage with victims and steal their information. The attacker might pose as a coworker, IT support person, or customer service representative. They’ll create a believable story about why they need your information — maybe they’re “updating the system” or “verifying your account for security purposes.”
Baiting: Offering Something Too Good to Refuse
Baiting attacks offer something enticing to spark curiosity or greed. This could be a free USB drive in a parking lot (loaded with malware), a too-good-to-be-true online deal, or a “free” software download. The bait hooks victims into taking actions that compromise their security.
Why Do Social Engineering Attacks Work So Well? We’re Wired to Trust
Humans are generally trusting creatures — it’s how we function in society. We assume that the person calling from “the bank” actually works there, or that the urgent email from our “boss” is legitimate. Attackers exploit this natural tendency to trust authority figures and familiar brands.
Information Overload
In our fast-paced digital world, we are constantly bombarded with emails, messages, and notifications. When rushing through our inbox, it’s easy to miss the subtle signs that something might be a scam. Attackers count on this — they know that busy people are more likely to click first and think later.
Fear and Urgency
Many successful attacks create a sense of urgency or fear. “Your account will be closed in 24 hours!” or “Suspicious activity detected — act now!” They pressure people into making quick decisions without thinking things through.
Social Media Intelligence
Social engineering attacks have become more sophisticated partly because there’s so much personal information available online. A quick scan of your social media profiles can reveal your employer, family members, hobbies, and recent activities — all valuable information for crafting a convincing attack.
Red Flags: Spotting the Scams Email Warning Signs
Keep an eye out for generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your actual name. Legitimate companies usually personalize their communications. Also, watch for urgent language, threatening consequences, and requests for sensitive information via email — real companies rarely ask for passwords or account numbers through email.
Check the sender’s email address carefully. Scammers often use addresses that look similar to legitimate ones but have subtle differences — like using “arnazon.com” instead of “amazon.com” or adding extra characters.
Too Good to Be True Offers
If someone is offering you something that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Whether it’s a “Nigerian prince” wanting to share his fortune or a “limited time offer” for a luxury item at 90% off, extreme offers should trigger your skepticism.
Pressure Tactics
Legitimate businesses don’t typically pressure you into immediate action with threats. If someone is insisting that you must act “right now” or face dire consequences, take a step back and verify their claims through official channels.
Be also wary of any unsolicited request for personal information, especially passwords, Social Security numbers, or financial details. Legitimate organizations have secure ways of handling this information and won’t ask for it through email or unsolicited phone calls.
Building Your Defense Strategy Email Security Best Practices
First, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all your important accounts. Even if someone gets your password, they’ll still need access to your phone or authentication app to get in. It’s like having a deadbolt in addition to your regular door lock.
Use strong, unique passwords for each account, and consider using a password manager to keep track of them all. I know it seems like a hassle, but it’s much less hassle than dealing with a compromised account.
Be cautious with email attachments and links. If you receive an unexpected attachment, even from someone you know, verify it’s legitimate before opening it. When in doubt, contact the sender through a different communication method to confirm they actually sent it.
Verification Procedures
Develop a habit of verifying suspicious communications through independent channels. If you get an email claiming to be from your bank, don’t click the links in the email. Instead, go directly to your bank’s website or call the number on your credit card to verify the communication.
This independent verification is crucial for phone calls too. If someone calls claiming to be from a company and asks for personal information, hang up and call the company’s official number to verify the request.
Technical Safeguards
Keep your software updated. Those annoying update notifications exist for a reason — they often include security patches that protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates when possible.
Use reputable antivirus software and email filters. These tools can catch many phishing attempts before they reach your inbox. However, don’t rely on them completely — human judgment is still your best defense.
Creating a Security-Conscious Culture
Whether at work or at home, foster an environment where it’s okay to be cautious and ask questions. Create a culture where “better safe than sorry” is the norm, not the exception. Encourage family members or colleagues to double-check suspicious communications rather than risking it.
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Understanding and Mitigating Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks was originally published in PIVX on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
