Phishing is a sneaky and widespread online scam that affects millions of people and businesses every year. In fact, a staggering 94% of organizations reported falling victim to phishing attacks in 2023. These attacks often involve cybercriminals pretending to be a trusted source, such as a bank or a popular company, then tricking people into revealing confidential details like passwords or credit card numbers.  

These scams often come in the familiar form of emails, chat messages, or even phone calls, all designed to look and sound legitimate. But one wrong click can lead to serious consequences which includes identity theft or financial loss. For businesses, a phishing attack could mean compromised data and a damaged reputation on the internet.  

Don’t worry, the team at Domain.com will explain what phishing is. You’ll also get practical tips to protect yourself and your business from falling victim to these deceptive schemes.  

What is phishing?  

Phishing is a form of cyberattack carried out by criminals that disguise themselves as trustworthy entities to trick you into giving up sensitive information. These scams usually come in the form of emails, but they can also appear as text messages or phone calls. These attacks are meant to steal personal details like passwords and other important login credentials.  

At its core, phishing is a form of social engineering. Cybercriminals manipulate strong emotions such as urgency or fear—to prompt victims into acting without thinking critically about the message. You might get an email that says your bank account has been compromised and requests that you to click a link to confirm your identity. That link, however, directs you to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials.  

Phishing attacks can target anyone from individuals to large corporations. Particularly vulnerable are small businesses without proper website security. Attackers can use more sophisticated tactics, including highly targeted attacks known as “spear phishing” or even fake phone calls called “vishing.”  

10 common types of phishing attacks  

Phishing attacks can take many forms, each crafted to deceive and steal sensitive information. Be on the lookout for:  

Fake account alerts  

You could get an email that seems like it’s from your bank or a service like PayPal, warning you about suspicious activity. The email urges you to click a link to confirm your identity or secure your account. However, the link takes you to a fake website that looks real but is designed to steal your login details. 

Spear phishing  

Spear phishing attacks are where the attacker customizes their message with personal information about the victim. For example, an employee might receive an email from what appears to be their boss. This email could be asking for a wire transfer or sensitive company data. The personalized details the victim receives make these attacks particularly hard to spot.  

Fake shipping notifications  

Phishing emails often take advantage of online shopping trends. You might get a message claiming that your package from a courier service like FedEx or UPS has been delayed. The email includes a link to track your package, but clicking it takes you to a malicious website or installs malware on your device.  

Tax scams  

During tax season, phishing emails claiming to be from tax authorities like the IRS become more common. These messages may state that you are eligible for a tax refund or that you need to confirm details to avoid penalties. The goal is to steal your financial information or social security number. 

Smishing   

Phishing doesn’t always happen over email. With smishing or SMS phishing, cybercriminals send fraudulent text messages that seem to be from your bank or another trusted source. Hackers may send a text that says there’s suspicious activity on your account and include a link to “resolve the issue,” which is a phishing site.  

Vishing  

In voice phishing attacks, cybercriminals use phone calls instead of emails or text messages. They pretend to be tech support or even the government. Voice phishing hackers may attempt to convince you to reveal sensitive information like account numbers or social security details.  

Social media scams  

Phishing can also occur through social media platforms. An attacker might impersonate a customer service account and send you a message claiming there’s an issue with your account. They’ll ask for your login details to “resolve” the problem, but their real goal really is to steal your credentials.  

Business email compromise   

In a BEC attack, a phishing email appears to come from an executive or trusted business contact. These emails often request a transfer of funds or sensitive data. Since they seem legitimate and urgent, these scams frequently lead to significant financial losses for businesses.  

Clone phishing  

In this attack, the cybercriminal replicates a legitimate email you’ve previously received but changes the links or attachments to something malicious. Because the email looks familiar, you’re more likely to trust it. This is one of the more particularly deceptive forms of phishing.  

Pop-up phishing  

While browsing the internet, you might see pop-up windows claiming you’ve won a prize or that your computer is infected with a virus. These pop-ups encourage you to click a link or enter personal information. These actions could lead to malware installation or data theft. 

Why is phishing effective?  

Phishing is highly effective because it preys on human emotions and behaviors. Attackers know that most people trust familiar organizations and are often pressed for time.   

Phishing attacks often use emotional triggers to push people into acting quickly. Hackers create emails warning you about suspicious activity or offer an unexpected prize to create a sense of urgency. This leads you to click on links or provide personal details without thinking twice.  

Phishing attacks have become more sophisticated over time. These attacks use convincing language, logos, and even website layouts that closely resemble the legitimate ones. Some attacks are so polished that even tech-savvy users can be fooled.   

How to identify a phishing attack  

Phishing attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but there are ways you can prevent an attack. Here are some tips to help you identify a phishing attempt:  

Suspicious sender email address  

Phishing emails often come from addresses that seem legitimate at first glance but have slight alterations. An email may come from “[email protected]” instead of the official “[email protected].” Always double-check the sender’s email address for any unusual characters, misspellings, or extra numbers that don’t belong.  

Generic greetings  

Most legitimate organizations will address you by name in their emails. Phishing emails typically start with generic greetings like “Dear customer” or “Dear user” because they are sent to large numbers of people at once, and the attacker doesn’t know your personal details.  

Urgent or threatening language  

Phishing emails aim to instill a sense of urgency or panic; making you feel like you must act immediately. You could receive a message saying that your account will be locked or suspended unless you verify your identity immediately. Be cautious of any email that pressures you to act quickly or threatens you with severe consequences.  

Suspicious links  

Phishing emails often include links that appear legitimate but lead to fraudulent websites. Before you click on any link, hover your mouse over it to see the real URL. If the link doesn’t match the text or seems suspicious, don’t click it. Also, be wary of shortened URLs or unfamiliar domain names.  

Spelling and grammar mistakes  

Legitimate companies tend to send professional and well-written emails. If an email contains spelling errors and poor grammar, it could be a sign of a phishing attempt. Many phishing emails are poorly written because attackers often use automated translation tools or have limited language proficiency.  

Unexpected attachments  

Be cautious of unsolicited emails with attachments, especially if you weren’t expecting them. Phishing emails often include attachments like PDFs, Word documents, or ZIP files that contain malware. Don’t open an unexpected attachment from an unknown source.   

Fake company logos and branding  

While phishing emails may use logos and branding that look legitimate, they are often slightly off in color, size, or placement. Pay close attention to these details and the message’s overall design and tone. Poor-quality logos, mismatched fonts, or inconsistent branding can be telltale signs of fake websites.  

Requests for personal information  

Legitimate companies will rarely ask for sensitive details like social security numbers, passwords, or credit card information over email. If you receive a request for personal information, then don’t respond. Instead, reach out to the company directly via their official website or through their customer service line. 

How to protect yourself against phishing  

Protect yourself and your business from phishing attempts with these great tips:  

• Be skeptical of unsolicited emails. Take caution when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unfamiliar or unexpected sources. Verify any suspicious requests by contacting the company directly.  

• Use strong email filters. Implement high-sensitivity email filtering tools to automatically block or flag phishing attempts before they reach your inbox.  

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Add an extra layer of security to your accounts by setting up two-factor authentication (2FA). This means you’ll need both your password and another verification method to log in. 

• Keep software updated. Make sure to regularly update your operating system, browsers, and antivirus software to guard against new phishing tactics and security vulnerabilities. Get the best malware protection with SiteLock.   

• Educate and train your team. Conduct regular phishing awareness training for employees. Use phishing simulations and frequent reminders to keep cybersecurity a priority in your organization.  

• Never share sensitive information via email. Real companies will never request sensitive information through email. That’s why it’s crucial to treat such requests as suspicious and verify them through official channels.  

• Double-check URLs and email addresses. Always hover over links to check the real destination URL before clicking. Also, scrutinize email addresses for subtle misspellings or extra characters that might indicate a phishing attempt.  

• Back up your data. Make sure to regularly back up your important files and keep them in a secure, separate location to protect against data loss in case of an attack.  

What to do if you fall for phishing  

Acting quickly is important to minimizing damage if you’ve fallen victim to a phishing attack. Follow our general guidelines in case of an attack:   
 

1. Disconnect from the internet. Disconnect your device from the internet right away to stop any further malware spread or data theft if you clicked a phishing link or downloaded a suspicious attachment.  
2. Change your passwords. If you provided login credentials, change your passwords immediately for the affected accounts. Make sure to update any other accounts that share similar passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if possible.  

2. Run a security scan. Use antivirus or anti-malware software to run a full scan of your device. This detects and removes any malicious software that may have been installed.  

3. Monitor your accounts. Check your bank, email, and other sensitive accounts for unusual activities. Notify the appropriate authorities of any unauthorized transactions or suspicious behavior. 

4. Report the incident. Contact your IT department or report the phishing attempt to the company that was impersonated. For financial or identity-related attacks, consider reporting it to authorities like the Federal Trade Commission.  

5. Notify your contacts. If your email or social media accounts have been compromised, alert your contacts to prevent them from falling for further phishing attempts sent from your account.  

6. Back up your data. Ensure that your important files are backed up regularly, so you can restore them in case of malware infection or system damage caused by phishing attacks.  

7. Stay alert for follow-up scams. Be cautious of additional phishing attempts or scams that may follow. Cybercriminals might try to capitalize on the initial attack, so stay vigilant and avoid sharing personal information.  

Better security with Domain.com  

Phishing continues to be one of the most widespread and dangerous forms of cybercrime. You can stay ahead of hackers by understanding what phishing is and recognizing the common signs of an attack. By following best practices for protection, you can reduce your chances of falling prey to these scams. 

At Domain.com, we offer the best security solutions such as SiteLock, SSL certificates, and Domain Privacy + Protection to help keep your website and data secure. Take the next step by visiting Domain.com for more information on securing your sensitive data.  

Frequently asked questions  

Why is it called ‘phishing’?  

Phishing gets its name from the idea of fishing—casting out bait to catch a victim. Just like in fishing, phishing involves setting up a lure. In this case, the lure is usually an email or a website that looks like it’s from a trusted source. The goal is to trick people into revealing personal details.   

The “ph” part of the word nods to an old hacker tradition: replacing “f” sounds with “ph.” This started with “phone phreaking,” the early days of hacking that played around with telephone networks. So, “phishing” is all about fishing for your private information through digital means.  

Can phishing attacks affect businesses?  

Yes, phishing attacks can significantly impact businesses. Data breaches usually lead to financial loss and reputation damage. Business owners should educate their employees, implement strong email filtering systems, and conduct regular security training to reduce the risk.  

How much does security cost with Domain.com?  

The cost of security solutions with Domain.com can vary based on the services you choose. Domain.com’s security solutions come in scalable plans where you can choose to upgrade to the next plan as your business grows.