Phishing uses deceptive messages to steal credentials or deliver malware, while user verification, MFA, and email filtering reduce the risk.
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Background for this topic.
Phishing is deceptive communication—by email, text, phone, or a fake website—that impersonates a trusted person or service to make someone disclose credentials, approve a transaction, reveal sensitive information, or run harmful software. Attackers use it to bypass technical controls by persuading a legitimate user to perform an action, and may target employees, customers, administrators, or suppliers.
Its impact can include account takeover, unauthorized payments, exposure of personal or business data, and access to internal systems. The most effective control for stolen-password phishing is phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication, such as hardware-backed passkeys or security keys, which binds authentication to the legitimate site. Organizations should also filter and authenticate messaging where possible, use password managers, restrict risky actions, train users to verify unusual requests through a separate channel, and provide rapid reporting so suspected credentials or sessions can be revoked.
A good chunk of the entire user base of a particular email service is being targeted for sensitive credentials.
Attackers sent more than 1,000 emails with 2FA, MFA, and other security-related lures aimed at stealing Microsoft credentials.
Abandoned sites — like Wordpress — are easy to break into, offer a legitimate looking cover, and can remain active for longer than average.
Global law enforcement operation leads to arrests of suspects behind sale of popular phishing kits.