Get antivirus, anti-ransomware, privacy tools, data leak detection, home Wi-Fi monitoring and more. Besides education, technology that focuses on email security is necessary. These fakes are so well-crafted, they can be difficult to spot even for a professional, not to mention people who have to go through tens of emails every day. Phishing attempts directed at specific individuals or companies is known as spear phishing. Spear phishing is a special form of cyber attack with extremely malicious intent that is derived from traditional phishing attacks. These attacks are carefully designed to elicit a specific response from a specific target. Usually, the intended targets of spear phishing are executives whose info is worth a lot of money. Spear phishing is hyper targeted, utilising researched information about a specific user to gain authority and ensure a click. Although often intended to steal data for malicious purposes, cybercriminals may also intend to install malware on a targeted user’s computer. In 2012, according to Trend Micro, over 90% of all targeted cyber attacks were spear-phishing related. Discover how our award-winning security helps protect what matters most to you. Although often intended to steal data for malicious purposes, cybercriminals may also intend to install malware on a targeted user’s computer. These cybercriminals employ individually designed approaches and social engineering techniques to effectively personalize messages and websites. Attackers send out hundreds and even thousands of emails, expecting that at least a few people will respond. All Rights Reserved. Helping you stay safe is what we’re about – so, if you need to contact us, get answers to some FAQs or access our technical support team. Spear phishing is hyper targeted, utilising researched information about a specific user to gain authority and ensure a click. Here is what you need to know about spear phishing: a targeted attack hackers use to steal your personal information. Eine neuere Variante des Phishing wird als Spear-Phishing bezeichnet (abgeleitet vom englischen Wort für Speer), worunter ein gezielter Angriff zu verstehen ist. - Definition, Threat Intelligence Definition. Un e-mail de spear phishing bien fait peut être très difficile à distinguer d’un e-mail authentique. Phishing attacks that are tailored and targeted at a specific individual are called spear phishing. So, what is spear phishing? Spear Phishing ist ein Tool für Großangriffe, die auf große Unternehmen (wie zum Beispiel Banken) oder einflussreiche Menschen ausgerichtet sind, und wird in großen APT-Kampagnen wie Carbanak oder BlackEnergy eingesetzt. In a conventional phishing attack, the target persons fall randomly into the attacker’s grid. Es kann sich dabei um ein Konkurrenzunternehmen handeln oder es können Cyberkriminelle sein, die das Opfer als besonders lukrativ ausgemacht haben. In regular phishing, the hacker sends emails at random to a wide number of email addresses. For example, spear phishing is used on employees or friends within a social network in hopes of gaining sensitive company or personal information, such as an employee's login. Before sending out the phishing email, the attacker researches their target. “Whales” are usually high-ranking victims within a well-known, lucrative company. Although often intended to steal data for malicious purposes, cybercriminals may also intend to install malware on a targeted user’s computer. Spear phishing is a special form of cyber attack with extremely malicious intent that is derived from traditional phishing attacks. What is Spear Phishing? 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