Different types of phishing and how to prevent them

Phishing attacks have become one of the most common and damaging forms of cybercrime today. As seen in the 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), 16% of cyberattacks began with a phishing attack. 

With organizations and individuals relying on digital communications, cybercriminals have perfected the art of tricking victims into revealing sensitive information, downloading malicious software, or giving access to secure systems. Understanding the different types of phishing is crucial for anyone who wants to protect themselves, their personal data, or their organization from potentially catastrophic losses.

What is a phishing attack?

Phishing is a type of cyberattack in which attackers attempt to trick individuals into disclosing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, or personal identification information. Attackers often masquerade as trusted entities, such as banks, government agencies, or well-known brands, to appear legitimate.

The primary goal of phishing is to manipulate human behavior. Unlike many other cyber threats, phishing exploits trust rather than technical vulnerabilities, making it a particularly effective and dangerous form of cybercrime.

Go deeper: What is a phishing attack?

The impact of phishing

According to the study Mitigation strategies against the phishing attacks: A systematic literature review, “More recently phishing has targeted organizations and made them suffer in terms of cost to contain malware, productivity loses, cost to contain credential compromise, and cost of ransomware from phishing, besides loss of reputation in front of their customers and competitors. It is relevant to state that phishing appeared as the costliest attack vector in 2022 with an average cost of US Dollars 4.91 million per data breach.”

Phishing attacks can have other serious consequences, including:

• Identity theft and unauthorized account access.
• Reputational damage for companies.
• Legal liabilities for failing to protect sensitive data.

Common types of phishing

“Phishing can be performed over different mediums using different vectors; three mediums used commonly for phishing include (1) the Internet, (2) short messaging services, and (3) voice. Within each of these mediums, different vectors are used to execute the attack,” notes the authors of the study, Mitigation strategies against the phishing attacks: A systematic literature review. Furthermore, IBM states that “The kinds of lures phishing scammers use depend on whom and what they are after.” Common phishing types include:

Email phishing

Email phishing is the most common form of phishing, accounting for 90% of successful cyberattacks, which often begin with a phishing email. Attackers send emails that appear to come from legitimate sources, such as banks, online retailers, or colleagues, urging recipients to take immediate action.

How it works: “The body of the email instructs the recipient to take a seemingly reasonable action that results in divulging sensitive information or downloading malware. For example, a phishing link might read, "Click here to update your profile," as IBM notes. The links in the email may redirect the recipient to a fake website that looks like the legitimate site. Victims are tricked into entering sensitive information, which is then stolen by the attacker.

Example: A person receives an email claiming their bank account will be locked unless they verify their identity immediately. The email includes a link that leads to a fake login page designed to capture credentials.

Prevention tips:

• Check the sender’s email address carefully.
• Hover over links to verify the URL before clicking.
• Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails.

See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide (2025 Update)

Spear phishing

Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing, typically targeting privileged individuals with access to sensitive data or special authority that the scammer can exploit. 

How it works: Attackers research the target, gathering information from social media, company websites, or previous communications. To lure the target, they craft messages that appear highly relevant, increasing the likelihood of the recipient falling for the scam.

Example: An employee receives an email appearing to be from their company’s HR department, referencing a recent project and asking them to click on a link to update their payroll information.

Prevention tips:

• Be cautious of emails asking for sensitive information, even if they appear personalized.
• Verify requests through alternative channels, such as calling the sender directly.
• Implement company-wide phishing awareness training.

Read also: Counter spear-phishing with DMARC mitigation methods

Smishing (SMS phishing)

Smishing uses SMS text messages instead of emails to deceive targets. The message typically contains a link or a phone number prompting the recipient to take action.

How it works: Attackers create a sense of urgency in the message, similar to email phishing.  Clicking on any links embedded in the message may lead to a malicious website, or calling the provided number may connect the victim to a scammer.

Example: A text message claims the recipient’s package delivery is delayed, asking them to click a link to reschedule. The link leads to a site that steals personal information or installs malware on their device.

Prevention tips:

• Avoid clicking on links in unexpected text messages.
• Verify information through official channels.
• Use security software that can detect malicious SMS links.

Related: Best cyber hygiene practices in text messaging

Vishing (Voice phishing)

Vishing involves attackers making phone calls to deceive victims into revealing personal information. Unlike email or SMS phishing, vishing relies on verbal manipulation.

How it works: Attackers often pose as representatives from banks, government agencies, or tech support. According to IBM, “Scammers often use caller ID spoofing to make their calls appear to come from legitimate organizations or local phone numbers.” These callers create urgency or fear, such as threatening account suspension or legal action. Victims are persuaded to provide sensitive information over the phone.

Example: A person receives a call from someone claiming to be their bank, warning of suspicious activity. The caller asks for the victim’s account number and PIN to “verify” the account.

Prevention tips:

• Never provide personal information to unsolicited callers.
• Hang up and call the official organization using publicly listed numbers.
• Be cautious of callers using high-pressure tactics.

Whaling

Whaling is a type of spear phishing that specifically targets high-level executives or individuals with access to sensitive company data. Because these individuals hold valuable information, whaling attacks are often highly sophisticated.

How it works: Attackers spend time researching the executive or decision-maker in an organization. Emails are then carefully crafted to mimic legitimate communications, often regarding legal, financial, or operational matters. The goal is to extract sensitive data, authorize financial transactions, or compromise systems.

Example: A CEO receives an email appearing to be from a law firm, requesting urgent approval for a merger agreement. The email contains a malicious link or attachment.

Prevention tips:

• Use multi-factor authentication for all corporate accounts.
• Educate executives about phishing risks.
• Implement strict verification protocols for financial transactions.

Clone phishing

Clone phishing involves creating a nearly identical copy of a legitimate email that the victim has previously received. The cloned email is modified to include malicious links or attachments.

How it works: Attackers exploit the familiarity of the original email to build trust. Victims may not notice subtle changes and click on the malicious link. The attacker can then steal credentials, install malware, or gain unauthorized access.

Example: An employee receives an updated invoice email that looks identical to a previous one but contains a link to a malware-infected document.

Prevention tips:

• Verify attachments and links even in familiar emails.
• Enable security filters that detect known phishing patterns.
• Educate employees about clone phishing tactics.

Pharming

Pharming redirects users from legitimate websites to fraudulent ones, often without the user realizing it. Unlike other phishing types, pharming does not require the user to click a link in an email or message.

How it works: Attackers manipulate the Domain Name System (DNS) or infect the user’s computer with malware. Users attempting to access a legitimate website are redirected to a fake site. The fake site captures login credentials or financial information.

Example: A person types their bank’s web address into a browser but is redirected to a fraudulent site that looks identical to the official bank site.

Prevention tips:

• Keep devices and software updated to prevent malware infections.
• Use trusted DNS services and antivirus software.
• Check website URLs carefully for inconsistencies.

Read also: Network segmentation to defend pharming

Angler phishing

Angler phishing occurs on social media platforms, where attackers impersonate customer service accounts to steal personal information or credentials.

How it works: Attackers create fake profiles resembling the official accounts of brands. They respond to customer inquiries or complaints, directing users to malicious links. Victims provide sensitive information, believing they are communicating with a legitimate source.

Example: A customer posts a complaint on Twitter about a delayed order. A fake customer service account replies, asking the customer to provide credit card details to resolve the issue.

Prevention tips:

• Verify social media accounts using official verification badges.
• Avoid sharing sensitive information over social media messages.
• Contact the brand directly using official channels.

Business Email Compromise (BEC)

Business Email Compromise is a sophisticated phishing attack targeting companies to authorize fraudulent payments or transfers. BEC attacks often involve impersonation of company executives or trusted partners.

How it works: Attackers infiltrate or spoof legitimate business email accounts and then send requests for urgent wire transfers or sensitive documents. The requests appear legitimate due to realistic language, company-specific details, and accurate sender information.

Example: An accounts payable clerk receives an email appearing to be from the CFO, requesting an urgent wire transfer to a new vendor account. The transfer ends up in the attacker’s account.

Prevention tips:

• Verify payment requests through multiple channels.
• Implement strict financial approval protocols.
• Educate employees about BEC tactics.

Search engine phishing

Search engine phishing involves creating fake websites that appear in search engine results. Users are tricked into visiting these sites and providing personal information.

How it works: Attackers use SEO techniques to rank fake websites highly in search results. Users may not notice subtle URL differences, and their personal information entered on the fake site is captured by attackers.

Example: A person searches for a popular bank online, clicks a top search result, and enters login credentials on a fraudulent site designed to look like the bank’s homepage.

Prevention tips:

• Use bookmarks for frequently visited websites.
• Verify URLs carefully before entering sensitive information.
• Enable browser security features that detect fraudulent sites.

How to spot a phishing attempt

Phishing emails and messages often contain subtle signs that can help you identify them before it’s too late. Watch out for common red flags, such as:

• Unexpected requests for sensitive information like passwords, banking details, or personal identifiers.
• Urgent or threatening language designed to pressure you into acting quickly without thinking.
• Suspicious links or attachments that may lead to malicious websites or install malware.
• Mismatched sender addresses that don’t align with the organization’s official domain.

Recognizing these warning signs is the first step toward staying safe from phishing attacks.

Learn more:

• Tips to spot phishing emails disguised as healthcare communication
• How to spot AI phishing attempts and other security threats

How to protect yourself and your organization

Defending against phishing requires combining human awareness and technical safeguards. The following actionable strategies can be implemented on the mitigation methods: 

• Awareness and training: Regularly educate employees about phishing types and red flags.
• Verify requests: Use multiple channels to confirm sensitive requests.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Implement MFA to add an extra layer of protection against compromised credentials.
• Email filtering: Deploy advanced email filtering to detect phishing attempts.
• Regular software updates: Ensure all devices and systems are patched to prevent malware infections.
• Strong password practices: Encourage the use of unique, complex passwords and regular password updates.
• Incident response plans: Develop a clear plan for responding to phishing incidents promptly.

Go deeper: Steps to protect against phishing attacks

FAQS

What should I do if I click on a phishing link?

Immediately disconnect from the internet, run a malware scan, and change your passwords, especially for accounts that may have been exposed. Report the incident to your organization’s IT/security team or the relevant service provider.

Can phishing attacks be completely prevented?

No system is 100% secure. However, organizations can drastically reduce their risk by combining employee training, strong authentication, email filtering, and clear incident response plans.

How can I report a phishing attempt?

• Forward phishing emails to your company’s IT/security team.
• Report consumer phishing scams to agencies like the FTC (U.S.), Action Fraud (UK), or local cybersecurity authorities.
• Many email providers  may also allow users to report phishing directly.