The type of cyberattack that involves crafting a personalized message in order to deceive the target is called spear phishing.
Explanation of Spear Phishing
- Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing where cyber attackers conduct detailed research on individuals or organizations to create personalized and convincing messages. These messages often appear to come from a trusted source, such as a colleague or a reputable organization, to increase the chances of deceiving the target.
- The goal of spear phishing is to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords, financial details, or downloading malware, by exploiting trust and often invoking emotions such as fear or urgency.
- Unlike general phishing attacks that are sent to large groups, spear phishing is highly customized and directed at specific high-value targets, such as executives or key employees, making it particularly effective and dangerous.
This type of cyberattack relies heavily on the craft of social engineering to make the personalized message very convincing and hard to detect by seemingly cautious individuals.
