Phishing is a significant cyber threat. At its core, it is a type of attack that tricks the mark into performing an action like revealing sensitive information or installing software by pretending to be a trustworthy entity. This article explores why we care about phishing, its impact, and how it exploits human vulnerabilities.
Phishing By the Numbers
Phishing Statistics
- According to the 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report by Verizon, 36% of data breaches involved phishing.
- A report by Proofpoint revealed that 75% of organizations worldwide experienced a phishing attack in 2020.
- Google registered a 32% increase in phishing sites in 2020, highlighting the growing threat of this type of cybercrime.
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Case Study: Kevin Mitnick
One of the most famous examples of phishing is the case of Kevin Mitnick, once considered the most-wanted computer criminal in the United States. Mitnick didn’t rely on sophisticated hacking tools; instead, he used social engineering techniques to trick people into giving him access to systems and networks. His story serves as a stark reminder that humans can often be the weakest link in cybersecurity.
Hacking Brains
The OSI model serves as a conceptual blueprint outlining the process of data traversal through networks between computer systems. It can be considered a fundamental guide for identifying possible system vulnerabilities. However, it doesn’t factor in human behavior or vulnerability to manipulation.
Computer hacking is a challenging task. In computational terms, breaching robust technical controls is a strenuous job. Identifying and exploiting system vulnerabilities can be tough due to their design and topology. However, humans, in contrast to computers, are a constant source of exposure and can be penetrated with ease, often even willingly revealing their weaknesses.
Phishing attacks often exploit the human element, which is not often represented in technical schematics, if they are, it’s the little user icon… this isn’t enough.
While technical tools can easily attack networks and computer systems, attacking a human is far more nuanced. It requires understanding human psychology and behavior, which is why phishing is such a potent threat.
Our Mission
Phishing poses a substantial cyber threat that exploits human vulnerabilities and manipulates individuals into revealing sensitive information or installing malicious software. This site serves as an introductory guide to understanding the motives, techniques, and technologies used in phishing, shedding light on its impact. It’s critical to remain educated and vigilant in this digital age.
We hope you enjoy!