Learn about data phishing

Hackers and scammers seek in various ways and means to obtain user data, ranging from claiming that they are bank employees and wanting to block the user’s bank account, to claiming that they are family members or friends and need urgent help, and all of these relentless attempts are aimed at stealing money from bank accounts or hacking sensitive user data.

The German magazine "Finance Test" indicated that the interest of hackers and fraudsters is currently focused on passwords for online banking accounts or electronic payment services, in addition to access data for social networks or obtaining phone numbers.

Usually, hackers lure their victims to fake websites and ask them to enter their data, data phishing attacks are no longer limited to emails. Here is an overview of the currently popular forms of data phishing:

Scammers on social media platforms or instant chat apps pretend to be a family member or friend and need immediate support and help.

There is another method of phishing known as “Smishing”, in which hackers and scammers rely on SMS messages as a trap to encourage victims to disclose their data. already exist.

A data phishing method known as “spear phishing” aims to target a specific group of people such as employees of a particular company, while the method known as “whaling” specifically targets “big fish”, such as wealthy victims .

The term "Vishing" refers to "voice phishing" and means nothing more than phishing through telephonic manipulation attempts.

Preventative measurements

A good precaution against phishing is not to get under pressure, and to reconnect with the person or organization the hacker claims to speak for.

If children fall into the trap of data phishing, parents should block potentially compromised accounts, quickly change passwords, and in case of money theft, the user should report this to the responsible authorities and check the security measures against phishing attacks.