Have you taken steps to protect yourself from spear phishing?

Imagine this: You receive an email from your company’s IT team saying your email account has been flagged for unusual activity. To keep your account secure, they ask you to verify your login details by clicking on a link. The email looks completely legitimate—it uses your company’s logo, IT department’s signature, and even references your name.

But wait—something feels off. Did IT really send this? Why are they asking for your login details through email? This could be a spear phishing attack, a cyber attack where hackers don’t just send random scam emails—they study their targets, gather personal details, and craft emails that look real and convincing. Unlike generic phishing emails, spear phishing feels personal, making it much harder to detect. One wrong click could expose your data or put your company’s network at risk. So, how do you protect yourself from falling into this trap?

There are two sides to staying safe from spear phishing:

1. How to avoid becoming a target – Preventing yourself from being on an attacker’s radar in the first place.
2. How to respond if you’re targeted – What to do if you receive or fall for a spear phishing attack.

How to reduce the chances of becoming a target of spear phishing

Attackers don’t randomly choose their victims—they research and gather details before launching an attack. Here’s how to make yourself a harder target:

1. Limit what you share online

Attackers gather personal information from social media, online accounts, and public records to craft convincing phishing attacks. Avoid sharing details like your phone number, email, job title, travel plans, and family connections on public platforms. Consider keeping your social media profiles private and be mindful of what you post, as attackers can use even small details to gain your trust.

2. Protect your email and be mindful of your email signature

Your email and phone number are prime targets for phishing attempts. Avoid using your primary email for online sign-ups, newsletters, or public directories. Instead, create a separate email for subscriptions and non-sensitive accounts. Additionally, be cautious with the details you include in your email signature. Avoid including unnecessary personal details, such as your mobile number or internal office location, to limit the information available to cyber criminals.

3. Be cautious with online forms and surveys

Attackers often gather personal data through online quizzes, fake surveys, and sign-up forms. Avoid sharing unnecessary details like your full name, birthdate, or workplace unless absolutely required. Be skeptical of “fun quizzes” that ask about personal preferences, as these can be used to guess security questions and craft targeted phishing emails.

4. Review and strengthen your privacy settings

Attackers often collect information from social media and professional networking sites to personalize spear phishing emails. Periodically review your privacy settings on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, limiting who can view your personal details. The less attackers can find about you, the harder it is for them to target you.

What to do if you’re targeted or under attack

If you receive a suspicious email or message that seems personalized and urgent, don’t panic. Here’s what you should do to protect yourself and minimize damage:

1. Do not click, respond, or share any information

If an email asks for urgent action, such as resetting a password, transferring money, or verifying sensitive data, pause and verify. Do not click on links, open attachments, or reply to the sender until you are sure it’s legitimate. Attackers use urgency to pressure victims into acting without thinking.

2. Verify the sender through a trusted channel

If you feel anything suspicious—such as an unusual request, urgent language, or a slight difference in the sender’s email—double-check before taking action. Contact the person through a trusted channel to confirm if the request is genuine. Attackers often spoof email addresses or use lookalike domains to impersonate trusted contacts.

3. Report the attempt immediately

If you suspect a spear phishing attack, report it to your IT/security team or follow your organization’s protocol for handling phishing threats. If the attack targets a personal account, mark the email as phishing in your email provider (e.g., Gmail, Outlook). Reporting helps prevent others from falling for the same scam.

4. If you clicked a link or entered credentials, take action quickly

If you accidentally entered your login details, change your password immediately and enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) if you haven’t already. If it’s a work account, notify your IT department immediately so that they can secure your account before the attackers gain full access.

5. Monitor your accounts for unusual activity

If you suspect you’ve been targeted, keep an eye on your email, bank, and social media accounts for any suspicious logins or transactions. Attackers may attempt follow-up attacks using the stolen information. If financial details were involved, contact your bank immediately to prevent unauthorized transactions.

Way forward

Spear phishing is a serious threat that targets individuals by using personalized and convincing emails to steal information or gain access to accounts. Staying aware of how these attacks work and being cautious with unexpected messages can help you avoid falling victim. Security Quotient’s research team has created an infographic titled “Learn to identify spear phishing: Tips for end users to stay safe” to help you recognize and protect yourself from these attacks. Stay alert and always verify before taking action.