spear phishing
Personalized email fraud
Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing—fraudulent messages designed to steal sensitive information or install malware.
Unlike mass phishing campaigns sent to thousands, spear phishing attacks are crafted for specific individuals or organizations, using personal details to appear legitimate: The hackers used spear phishing emails that referenced the executive's recent conference presentation.
Hunting large sea mammals
- personalizedAdapted for an individual
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- tailoredAdjusted to fit exactly
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
research · customized · specific · directed · selective · calculated · C-suite
Harmful computer programs
- hackersUnauthorized computer system intruders
- cyberattackMalicious digital intrusion
- exploitNotable act or abuse
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
botnet · keylogger · intrusion · breach · compromise · credentials · payload · backdoor
Manipulating people for information
- pretextingDeceptive identity manipulation
- impersonationPretending to be another
- spoofingFraudulent imitation
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
trickery · ruse · ploy · guile · subterfuge · baiting · lure · hook
Protection of digital systems
- antivirusMalware detection program
- firewallNetwork access control system
- encryptionConverting data into code
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
two-factor authentication · email filtering · threat detection · vulnerability · zero trust · spam filter · security training
whaling
Hunting large sea mammals
- personalizedAdapted for an individual
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- tailoredAdjusted to fit exactly
reconnaissance · research · customized · specific · directed · selective · calculated · C-suite
malware
Harmful computer programs
- hackersUnauthorized computer system intruders
- cyberattackMalicious digital intrusion
- exploitNotable act or abuse
ransomware · botnet · keylogger · intrusion · breach · compromise · credentials · payload · backdoor · identity theft
social engineering
Manipulating people for information
- pretextingDeceptive identity manipulation
- impersonationPretending to be another
- spoofingFraudulent imitation
manipulation · trickery · ruse · ploy · guile · subterfuge · baiting · lure · hook · decoy
cybersecurity
Protection of digital systems
- antivirusMalware detection program
- firewallNetwork access control system
- encryptionConverting data into code
authentication · two-factor authentication · email filtering · threat detection · vulnerability · zero trust · spam filter · security training
- cyber threatsmalware, hacking, virus, ransomware, data breach
- cyberattacksmalware, ransomware, hack, virus, cyberattack
- cybercrimeshacking, malware, ransomware, data breach, identity theft
- cyberscamsscam emails, online scams, scams, email spoofing, smishing
- scamsscam, scams, fraud, frauds, swindle
- cybersecurityantivirus, malware, firewall, firewalls, encryption
spear phishingspam
Unsolicited bulk messages
Nigerian prince scam · shotgun approach · carpet bombing · robocalls · chain letters
spear phishingemail security
Safeguarding electronic correspondence
email authentication · email filtering · secure communication
spear, phishing, spears, speared, spearing, spearhead, spearheaded, spearheading, phish