What is the difference between Phishing and Spear Phishing?

Phishing is one of the most severe security threats that users typically encounter. It is a form of social engineering. An attacker gains the user’s trust and then dupes them into clicking on malware links to illegally retrieve confidential or sensitive information. Some examples of phishing include e-mail spoofing or text messaging. It may be challenging to be adept enough to tell whether it is a con.

A more target-specific form of phishing is called spear phishing, and it has become the most prominent form of cyber attack in recent years. Unlike phishing attacks, these attacks target certain groups within the organization and deceptively get them to click on a link that will put malicious code on their computer. The attacker then obtains personal information about the user to steal financial information.

Phishing and spear-phishing are a common form of email attacks that are designed to perform a specific action, typically clicking on a malicious link or attachments.

Phishing is the most common form of email attack in which the attacker tricks people into clicking into a malicious link that appears to be legit, to illegal obtain their sensitive or confidential information. In the past few decades, there has been a mass increase in phishing attacks. Phishing targets a wide range of people; the attackers are usually cybercriminals and professional hackers.

On the other hand, spear phishing is email attacks in which the emails are carefully designed to target a specific group or individual and to convince them to click the link which installs malicious code on their computer. Spear phishing is a more target-specific form of phishing. The attackers are usually business-oriented malicious code distributors.

Phishing and spear-phishing are actually two types of email attacks that are being sent by hackers so that you will do some specific actions. For example, you may be sent an email that will come with a malicious attachment that you cannot help but become curious to download.

There are also instances when you may be sent a link that will get all of your personal information when you click it. Phishing is considered to be broad, and details regarding your credit card, password, and usernames may be acquired. Spear phishing is more personalized. This means that this is sent to a specific person in order to get the person’s personal details.

Most people assume that phishing and spear are the same, probably because they are both email attacks. You would need to do a specific action so that this will work. The main difference between the two is how they would target people. When phishing is used, this is meant to make one specific person respond to the attack. If the person does not respond, then the phishing will not be successful.

When spearing is used, this can attack different people who will respond to the attack. This is not directed towards one particular person. It is important that you know if you are being attacked so that you can avoid it and not become victimized.