While there are numerous cybersecurity threats to beware of, spam and
phishing
are two of the most common and therefore, the two threats users are most
likely to encounter. While they can be very similar, there are some
subtle differences. The most important thing to remember, though, is
that while all phishing
emails are scams, not all scam emails are phishing attacks.
Learning the difference between phishing and spam can be helpful in
keeping users safe online. But this can result in a host of questions,
such as “Is spam a security threat?” and “What are examples of spam and
phishing?”
What
is the Difference Between Phishing and Spam?
Although they can seem very similar, there are actually subtle
differences between spam and phishing. While both involve the sending
and receiving of unsolicited emails, the most common spam emails are
simply a nuisance. Phishing attacks are more nefarious and present a
significant cybersecurity threat to recipients.
When trying to understand the difference between phishing and spam,
there is one main thing to remember. Phishing emails use numerous
techniques—including social
engineering—to lure targets into disclosing sensitive information or
personal data. Some signs of a phishing email to be aware of include
misspelled words, email addresses that do not conform to an
organizational norm, direct requests for personal information, or
emotional language.
Usually, a phishing email will impersonate a legitimate
organization—banks and ecommerce sites are common—and create a sense of
urgency to trick the target into clicking a link or otherwise providing
information such as login credentials or credit card details. The
attacker can then use these details to perpetrate other crimes, such as
financial fraud. In some cases, the email may have a compromised
attachment or link that installs malware on the recipient’s device.
There are several different types of phishing, including:
Deceptive Phishing: This is the most common type of cyberattack
and involves the attacker impersonating a legitimate organization in the
email.
Spear
Phishing: These attacks target specific individuals or organizations
and are more likely to use social engineering techniques to create a
sense of legitimacy.
Whaling:
Another very targeted type of phishing attack, these target high-profile
individuals, such as company CEOs.
Vishing:
Instead of using email, these phishing attacks are executed through
phone calls and usually involve the attacker pretending to represent a
legitimate organization to steal personal details.
Smishing:
While similar to vishing, these attacks are carried out by text message
instead of voice call but still attempt to steal sensitive
information.
Wondering exactly what are spam emails? These are essentially the
digital version of physical junk mail. Spam is an unsolicited email
intending to sell products or services that is sent in bulk, usually to
thousands of individuals at a time. The most common spam emails might
include newsletters, solicitations for donations, coupons, and chain
forwards. Spam can be annoying for the recipient; they are generally
quite innocuous—they do not expressly represent a threat. Recipients can
use spam filters and opt-out links to lessen how many spam emails they
receive. However, some spam emails also attempt to steal a user’s
personal information, which is why they are easily confused with
phishing emails.
How to Recognize
Spam and Phishing
In many cases, it is easy to tell the difference between phishing and
spam emails. However, attackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated,
and it can be challenging now to identify exactly whether the email is
indeed a cyberattack or is more innocuous. For this reason, it is
essential that users learn to recognize examples of spam and
phishing.
Phishing emails usually have attributes that make them identifiable,
including:
Purporting to come from an organization, such as a bank or an
ecommerce site.
Email addresses that are slight deviations from a company’s
official email domains.
A more formal tone of voice.
Urgent, threatening, or emotional language that is designed to
make the recipient act immediately.
A link to a malicious site that the recipient must click on to
log into their account or provide the requested information, or a
malicious attachment that must be downloaded.
Subtle misspellings or grammatical mistakes.
Phishing emails employ numerous tactics that might seem innocuous at
first glance, such as:
Saying an account has been temporarily suspended due to
suspicious activity and the user must click a link to log into the
account and restore it.
Claiming that there is a problem with billing or payment
information and that the recipient must log into their account through
the attached link to update these.
Attaching a fake invoice that will install malware on the
recipient’s device when opened.
Saying that the target has won a prize and must provide personal
information to receive it.
Telling the recipient that they are eligible for a government
refund and must provide their social security number to receive
it.
Conversely, spamming examples tend to be more casual in nature, use
random sender addresses and domains, and usually contain promotional
content. Spamming email examples often include generic greetings and
some kind of advertising or marketing material, and do not actively try
to force the recipient to take action.
Examples of Spam and
Phishing
So, what do these types of cyberattacks look like in practice? Below
are some of the most common examples of spam and phishing emails to look
out for.
How
to Protect Yourself from Spam and Phishing Attacks
While the prevalence of spam and phishing attacks makes them largely
unavoidable, it is possible for users to minimize the chances of falling
victim to these cyberattacks. Here are some useful tips and best
practices that can reduce
the amount of spam emails and help users stay
alert to phishing attacks:
Set up multiple email addresses: Use one email
address only for personal correspondence and never publish this
publicly, and a second address for online purposes such as social media
accounts, mailing lists, and other internet services.
Never respond to any spam: Most spammers verify
email receipts and log responses, so users who respond are more likely
to receive more spam.
Think before you click unsubscribe: Spammers
sometimes send fake unsubscribe emails to attempt to collect active
email addresses—by clicking the unsubscribe link in one of these emails,
users may increase the amount of spam they receive.
Keep browsers (and all software) updated: Ensure
that web browsers, applications, and software are always kept up to date
and running the latest security patches.
Activate spam filters: Use email providers that
include spam filtering as standard, and use an antivirus and internet
security solution that also includes advanced anti-spam
features.
Understand the most common attributes of spam or phishing
emails: Treat emails suspiciously and look for signs such as
misspellings and grammatical mistakes or an unusual sense of
urgency—also be on the alert for unexpected emails.
Never provide personal information over email:
Attackers often impersonate legitimate entities—such as banks—and ask
the user to log into accounts (through a fraudulent website) or provide
credit card details by email. Remember that real organizations will
never ask for information in this way.
Avoid clicking links or opening attachments in suspicious
emails: This is often how hackers attempt to steal sensitive
information or distribute malware.
Remember password hygiene: Create complex
passwords for each online account and change these regularly—use a password manager to keep track of
these.
Enable multifactor or biometric authentication:
Whether this involves an additional passcode or one-time password sent
to a phone, or facial recognition, this adds an additional layer of
security.
Regularly back-up data: Whether the data is
backed up to an external hard-drive or to the cloud, this ensures that
the data is recoverable in case of an attack.
Report the email: Reporting spam or phishing
emails is especially useful in a corporate environment—reporting the
emails to the IT department can ensure that these threats are eliminated
quickly.
Turn off email images: Some spam attacks use
embedded images that track whether the email is opened—this tells the
spammer that the email address is active and can result in more
spam.
In conclusion, understanding the distinctions between spam and
phishing is crucial for users navigating the digital landscape. While
spam inundates inboxes with unwanted content, phishing poses a more
insidious threat by employing deceptive tactics to extract sensitive
information. Recognizing the hallmarks of phishing, such as urgent
language and fraudulent impersonations, empowers users to stay vigilant.
As cyber threats evolve in sophistication, users must enhance their
ability to differentiate between benign and malicious emails. By
adopting proactive measures, such as utilizing spam filters, maintaining
updated software, and practicing password hygiene, individuals can
fortify their defenses against these prevalent cyber threats. Staying
informed about the common attributes of spam and phishing, exercising
caution when interacting with emails, and promptly reporting suspicious
activity are integral components of a comprehensive cybersecurity
strategy. In a digital landscape fraught with challenges, these
practices contribute to a safer online experience, minimizing the risks
associated with spam and phishing attacks.
While very similar, spam and phishing are subtly different cyberthreats. Learn the difference between the two and how to protect yourself from attacks.