Phishing isn’t what it used to be. Here are some of the newer twists on phishing and the red flags to watch for...
SPEAR PHISHING - Highly personalized messages that appear to come from a colleague or manager. Watch for: Unusual requests, tone that feels “off,” or sudden urgency from a familiar contact.
WHALING (CEO FRAUD) - Emails targeting executives or finance teams, often demanding urgent wire transfers. Watch for: Pressure to move money quickly, secrecy around the request, or a mismatch in email domains.
VISHING AND SMISHING - Fraudulent phone calls or texts posing as banks, tax agencies, or delivery services. Watch for: Caller IDs that don’t quite match, urgent “account compromise” claims, or links in texts.
BIZ EMAIL COMPROMISE (BEC) - Criminals hijack or convincingly spoof a real business account to approve fake invoices or payments. Watch for: Requests to change vendor banking info or sudden instructions for large transfers.
ANGLER PHISHING - Fake customer support accounts on social media that “help” you with malicious links. Watch for: Social accounts with few followers, slightly misspelled brand names, or links sent via DM.
Bottom line: If something feels RUSHED, UNEXPECTED, or SLIGHTLY “FISHY” --pause before you click, reply, or transfer money.
If you want to strengthen your organization's defenses, it may be time to talk with an MSP/MSSP (Managed Services Provider/Managed Security Services Provider). Connect with Michelle Fink at Hudson Technology to start the conversation.
