Keep people connected, they can also make folks People use these devices forĮverything from sending and receiving text messagesĪnd emails, to surfing the Internet, listening to music,Īnd downloading “apps.” While these functions can However, many cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated at creating authentic-looking messages, and are using professional marketing techniques to test and improve the effectiveness of their emails.Studies show the majority of American adults have a smartphone or tablet-and this number Some phishing emails can be identified due to poor copywriting and improper use of fonts, logos, and layouts. Via these websites, attackers attempt to collect private information like usernames and passwords, or payment information. Attackers often set up fake websites, which appear to be owned by a trusted entity like the victim’s bank, workplace, or university. Attacks are carried out through malicious attachments or links to malicious websites. Typically, the emails the victim receives appear to come from a known contact or organization. The phisher can then use this information to create a reliable fake message. These sources are used to gather information such as the potential victim’s name, job title, and email address, as well as interests and activities. The basic element of a phishing attack is a message, sent by email, social media, or other electronic communication means.Ī phisher may use public resources, especially social networks, to collect background information about the personal and work experience of their victim.

The email claimed that the user’s account was deactivated due to too many login failures, and linked to a fake Amazon Billing Center website, which instructed the user to re-enter their payment information. In September 2020, attackers sent a phishing email, which appeared to be from Amazon, attempting to steal user credit card information. The messages attempted to trick the victim into clicking a malicious link that redirected to a fake Microsoft login page.Īmazon phishing email attempts to steal credit card information:

In August 2020, attackers sent phishing emails attempting to steal Microsoft account credentials. Here are two examples of recent phishing attacks, discovered by Check Point researchers.Īttempt to steal credentials for Microsoft accounts: The brands most commonly used by attackers in fake phishing messages were Microsoft, DHL, and Apple. Phishing Attacks: Statistics and ExamplesĬheckpoint Research recently released the Brand Phishing Report for Q3 2020, which provides data about phishing attacks that attempt to imitate well known brands.Īccording to the report, email phishing was the most common type of branded phishing attacks, accounting for 44% of attacks, and web phishing was a close second.

Phishing emails and fake virus test