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Types of Email Attacks
Electronic mail (email) is a digital messaging system that allows users to send and receive messages via the Internet. Email communications are sent and received by email servers, available from all Internet Service Providers (ISP).
Emails are sent between two separate server folders: the senders and the recipients. A sender saves, transmits, or forwards email messages, whereas a recipient accesses an email server to view or download emails.
Types of Email Attacks
In this article, we will take a look at some methods in which cybercriminals use emails to attack vulnerable users.
Phishing
Phishing is a type of deception. Cybercriminals utilize email, instant messaging, and other social media to impersonate a trusted individual to obtain information such as login credentials.
When an evil entity sends a false email that appears to be from a legitimate, trustworthy source, it is known as phishing. The goal of the message is to deceive the receiver into downloading malware or disclosing personal or financial information.
Spear phishing is a form of phishing attack that is very specific in its approach. While phishing and spear-phishing use emails to contact their victims, spear-phishing delivers personalized emails to a single individual. Before sending the email, the criminal researches the target's interests.
Vishing
It is a type of phishing that employs voice communication technologies. Using voice-over IP technologies, criminals can fake calls from legitimate sources. Victims may also get a recorded message that purports to be from an official source. Criminals are attempt to steal the victim's identity by obtaining credit card numbers or other personal information. Vishing takes advantage of people's faith in the telephone system.
Smishing
It is a sort of phishing that uses mobile phones to send text messages. To earn the victim's trust, criminals imitate a legitimate source. A smishing attack might, for example, send the victim a webpage URL. Malware is installed on the victim's phone when they access the page.
Whaling
A phishing assault that targets high-profile targets within a business, such as senior executives, is known as whaling. Politicians and celebrities are also possible targets.
Pharming
Pharming is the impersonation of a reputable website to dupe individuals to submit their personal information. Pharming leads consumers to a phony website that appears to be legitimate. Victims then provide their data under the impression that they have reached a legitimate website.
Spyware
It is software that allows a criminal to collect data about a user's computer activity. Activity trackers, keystroke collecting, and data capture are all standard features of spyware. A spyware frequently adjusts it security settings in an attempt to circumvent security measures. Spywares often come along with legitimate applications or Trojan horses. Many shareware sites are infested with spyware.
Scareware
It is software that uses fear to encourage the user to execute a specified action. Scareware creates pop-up windows that seem like those found in operating systems. These windows display fake messages claiming that the system is in danger or requires the execution of a specific program to resume regular operation. In actuality, there are no issues, and malware infects the user's PC if they agree and permit the indicated program to run.
Adware
Adware generates cash for its makers by displaying unpleasant pop-ups. By tracking the pages visited, the malware may be able to determine the user's interests. It can then send relevant pop-up advertisements to those websites. Adware is installed by default in some software versions.
Spam
Unsolicited emails are referred to as spam (also known as junk mail). Spam is almost always a form of advertising. Spams can contain hazardous links, viruses, or false content. The ultimate goal is to collect sensitive data like a social security number or bank account details.
The majority of spams originate from numerous computers connected to a network infected with a virus or worm. These infected computers send out as many spam emails as they can.
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