Phishing attacks are a growing threat that all internet users need to be aware of. These attacks aim to trick victims into handing over sensitive information or installing malware. A new type of phishing attack has emerged that is especially deceptive. In this article, I will provide an in-depth look at how this new phishing technique works and what you can do to avoid becoming a victim.
How The New Phishing Attack Works
This new phishing method utilizes a clever psychological tactic to increase the likelihood of victims falling for the scam. Here’s an overview of how it works:
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The attack starts with an innocuous email that appears to be from a legitimate company. The email includes a call-to-action to visit a website and “verify your account” or “reset your password.”
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When the victim clicks the link, they are taken to a convincing phishing site that uses the company’s logos and branding. The site will have web forms prompting the user to enter their login credentials or personal information.
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If the victim enters any data, it is captured by the scammers. However, after submitting the form, the victim is redirected to the real company’s website.
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This redirect makes the victim think the site was legitimate all along. They are less likely to realize their data was stolen, since they appeared to end up at the real site.
This attack is incredibly deceptive because the redirection to the real site builds a false sense of security. Victims will be less cautious about entering data in the future after seemingly having a normal experience.
Why This New Attack Is Effective
There are several reasons why this new phishing technique has a high success rate:
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The initial email looks real and unsuspicious. Victims’ guard is down when they click the link.
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The fake site is convincingly designed to mimic the real one. Most users won’t notice small differences.
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The redirection makes victims think the site was legitimate. They’ll believe it was a false alarm.
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Stolen data is hard to trace back to the phishing site after ending up at the real domain.
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Victims may enter even more data in the future, believing the site is safe since they were redirected.
This attack capitalizes on human psychology – the redirection taps into our tendency to rationalize away minor inconsistencies rather than accept we were fooled.
How To Avoid Falling For This Scam
Here are some tips to avoid becoming a victim of this clever new phishing technique:
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Check the email address in any unexpected emails asking you to visit a site. Ensure it matches the official domain name.
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Only enter data through sites you directly navigated to – not via links. Or confirm the site is legitimate by calling the company.
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Use a password manager to avoid having to reset passwords through an emailed link. Manage passwords directly through your account.
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Enable two-factor authentication where possible. This adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password.
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Be wary after redirects. Double check you are at the legitimate site if you are redirected after entering any data.
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Monitor accounts carefully for signs of unauthorized access, even if an interaction seemed to end normally.
Staying vigilant is key to avoiding this highly deceptive form of phishing. Be skeptical of any emails prompting you to visit sites, no matter how legitimate they appear. And never enter sensitive information unless you are 100% certain you are on the real site.
With hackers constantly innovating new ways to exploit human psychology, we all need to be on guard to avoid becoming victims. Following best practices around account security and verifying sites will help minimize your risk of having personal data stolen through phishing.
