Phishing is one of the most dangerous online threats that can jeopardize your personal data and financial security. Scammers use increasingly sophisticated tricks that can easily fool even the most cautious users, so it’s important to know how to protect yourself.

Phishing is a cyberattack in which attackers impersonate trusted people or institutions to extract sensitive data from victims. It can involve fake emails from a bank, fraudulent messages on social networks, or websites that look official. Scammers use psychological manipulation to push victims to click a malicious link or share personal information. Once criminals gain access, they can abuse bank accounts, steal identities, or gain access to other online services.

How did the term phishing originate?

The term was inspired by an analogy with fishing, where the attacker “casts” bait in the form of an attractive offer and waits to “hook” a victim. Interestingly, instead of the usual word fishing, phishing caught on, derived from “phreaks,” the hacker community that focused at the time on fraud in telecommunication systems.

Different types of phishing

Phishing is a constantly evolving threat that appears in different forms, each with specific goals and methods. While some attackers mass-send fraudulent messages, others target very specific victims. Here’s an overview of the most common types of phishing attacks.

Email phishing

This is the most common type and involves sending mass emails that appear to be from trusted institutions. They often contain links to fake websites designed to capture login credentials or bank account information.

Spear phishing

Unlike mass email phishing, spear phishing is a targeted attack. The scammer carefully gathers information about a specific victim and then crafts a personalized message. This attack is more sophisticated and much harder to detect.

Whaling

Whaling is a form of spear phishing aimed at high-profile targets, such as CEOs or prominent figures in organizations. The goal is to fraudulently obtain sensitive information or access to large sums of money.

CEO fraud

In this case, the attacker creates a message that appears to come directly from a company’s top executive, such as the CEO. The message urges subordinates to take certain actions, such as transferring funds or sharing confidential company information.

Vishing (voice phishing)

Vishing uses phone calls instead of emails. The attacker pretends to be a bank employee or another trusted organization and tries to obtain sensitive information over the phone.

Smishing (SMS phishing)

Similar to vishing, but in this case scammers send deceptive text messages. These usually contain links or phone numbers to call, prompting the user to hand over personal data.

Angler phishing

Angler phishing is a newer form of attack that exploits social media. The attacker imitates an official company or brand profile on social platforms and lures victims into clicking dangerous links or providing private information.

Page hijacking

Page hijacking is a dangerous tactic that manipulates the user experience while searching for information online. Criminals create a clone of a legitimate website and, with sophisticated search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, push the fraudulent site to the top of search results. When users click the link, they land on a site that looks just like the original, but its purpose is to harvest sensitive data or install malware on the victim’s device. In some cases, the real site may be compromised, its content altered, and visitors redirected to malicious pages without warning.

Catfishing

Catfishing is a technique where the attacker creates a fake identity on social networks or online platforms to deceive a victim. Motives vary, from obtaining sensitive data and emotional manipulation to financial gain. The scammer typically pretends to seek friendship, love, or collaboration, aiming to win the victim’s trust and then exploit it. Catfishing has become widespread in recent years, especially on online dating sites, where victims may suffer emotional harm as well as real financial losses.

How to spot phishing

Grammatical errors and odd wording

Fake messages usually contain low-quality text. You may find typos, poor punctuation, or wording that doesn’t sound professional. Clean grammar and style are the basis of trustworthy communication. If a message contains awkwardly phrased sentences or errors, ignore it.

Urgency and pressure

Phishing attacks typically use psychological pressure. If someone pushes you to click a link or take action immediately, don’t trust it. Take your time, check the source, and determine whether it’s really something that requires urgent attention.

Unexpected emails and messages

If you receive an email you weren’t expecting—especially from unknown people or institutions—be cautious. Phishing often starts with an enticing but impersonal message prompting you to act. Whether it’s about „winnings“ money, account changes, or reviewing unusual activity, never react impulsively. Check who sent the message and make sure it’s a legitimate source.

Suspicious, too-good-to-be-true offers

Phishing attacks often pose as great deals, free goods, lottery wins, or large cash gifts. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of offers that look perfect. Always consider what might be behind them.

Requests for personal data

Banks, services, or any trusted institutions will never ask you to submit personal data, passwords, or login details via email. If an email or message requests this, it’s almost certainly a scam. First, check the organization’s official website or contact their customer support.

Suspicious link or URL

If you receive an email with a link urging you to log in or take some action, don’t use it without verifying it first. Always preview the URL before clicking. Hover over the link to see whether the address matches your expectations. Phishing attackers use deceptive URLs that may look legitimate at first glance but contain small changes or typos.

Suspicious sender domain

When reading emails, look at the sender’s domain. Emails from known institutions use their own domain, not public ones like gmail.com or seznam.cz. Make sure the domain is spelled correctly, and if you have doubts, it’s better to ignore the message.

Phishing is ubiquitous, but with these simple steps you can be much more resilient to such attacks. The key is to stay cautious, not rely on first impressions, and verify any suspicious contact that urges you to act. Remember, the internet is full of traps, but you can stay one step ahead by remaining vigilant and prepared.

How to prevent phishing?

Good security habits are essential for protection against phishing attacks. The best defense is a preventive approach that involves several key steps. First, always keep your devices and apps up to date to ensure you have all available security patches installed. It’s also important to use strong, unique passwords for every service and change them regularly. To increase protection, use two-factor authentication, which makes unauthorized access more difficult.

Always pay attention to the security certificates of the websites you visit. Sites that use HTTPS are encrypted, which signals they are safer. If a page doesn’t display a padlock next to the URL, it’s usually a red flag.

Conclusion

Phishing is a constantly evolving threat that adapts to new technologies and tactics. Be careful, never share sensitive information without thorough verification, and use strong protection such as two-factor authentication and strong passwords. Remember that your security is in your hands—stay informed and ready to confront these fraudulent attempts.

Frequently asked questions

How can I protect my organization from phishing attacks?

Employee training, regular security audits, and implementing protective tools such as email filters and two-factor authentication can significantly reduce risk.

What should I do if I clicked a suspicious link?

If you accidentally clicked a suspicious link, immediately change the passwords for any accounts that may be at risk. Then scan your device for malware using an antivirus program and notify the relevant organization if, for example, you clicked a fake bank link.

What are the latest trends in phishing attacks?

As technology develops, phishing becomes more sophisticated. Attackers increasingly use social networks to gain victims’ trust and lure them with fake offers or convince them to take risky actions. Phishing also more often targets specific individuals through personalized attacks that can appear to be legitimate communication.

Useful links:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing
2. https://www.verizon.com/about/account-security/phishing
3. https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/topics/security/what-is-phishing.html
4. https://www.proofpoint.com/us/threat-reference/phishing