I’ve always lived near the coast, and as a result have fished most of my life. I even took up spear fishing a few years back. Spear fishing is great, you swim around with the fish, and shoot only the ones you will take home and grill.
That’s why this new term, “Spear Phishing” has really got me worried. Phishing is a tech based form of conning individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords, account numbers, etc. Spear Phishing is a newer, more malicious form phishing.
Imagine an email from your bank, or what appears to be your bank, asking for your account number and pin. Some spear phishing attempts may look like your employer, or a bank/payment service you use. The “spear” is a spoof of your existing relationship with a sensitive company.
Instead of getting a realistic email from “Bank of the United States needs your Visa Check card number and PIN”, you’d get one from what looks like your actual bank!
What’s next? Bomb Phishing? Net Phishing? Harpoon Phishing? Out of season Phishing?!