Who should read this?
All Employees, Cybersecurity Managers
Have you ever received a suspicious email with attachments that seemed to come from HR or the finance department, containing documents like roles and responsibilities or financial details? These emails might look legitimate, but they can actually be a trick from attackers. The attachments may contain hidden links or code that, when opened, can steal personal information or install harmful software on your computer.
This type of phishing is particularly dangerous because the malicious files often go undetected by antivirus software. Since these documents don’t show typical signs of malware and are frequently marked as ‘clean’ by security tools, they can bypass email filters and reach the recipient’s inbox. Once opened, the victim may unknowingly provide sensitive information to cybercriminals, which can lead to data breaches and financial loss.
Why document-based phishing is a concern?
Document-based phishing attacks are particularly challenging to defend against for several reasons:
- Deceptive Appearance: Unlike traditional phishing emails, which may have obvious signs of fraud such as poor grammar, suspicious links, or unfamiliar senders, document-based phishing attacks often appear legitimate. The emails and attachments look like normal communications from trusted sources such as colleagues, HR departments, or financial institutions, which makes it harder for recipients to identify them as threats. The use of official-looking documents and logos can make these attacks seem more convincing and less likely to be questioned.
- Bypassing Detection: Many antivirus and email filters are good at spotting common malware but have trouble detecting hidden threats in documents. Since these malicious documents don’t always show typical signs of malware, like strange file extensions or executable code, they often get past security systems. As a result, they may seem safe and are marked as ‘clean,’ allowing them to reach users’ inboxes unnoticed.
- Exploitation of Human Trust: Phishing attacks rely on exploiting human behavior specifically, the tendency to trust documents that appear familiar and legitimate. When an employee receives an email from a trusted source or a department they regularly interact with, they are more likely to open an attachment without considering the risks. The psychological manipulation involved in these attacks plays a key role in their success. Attackers take advantage of our reliance on trusted contacts, making it harder to detect malicious intent.
Unlike typical phishing emails that are easy to spot, document-based phishing attacks are harder to detect. These attacks often look like legitimate emails or documents, making them a serious risk. As these attacks become more advanced, it’s important for organizations to stay ahead by adopting stronger defense practices.
Way forward
To address the growing threat of document-based phishing, immediate and strategic actions are essential. Security Quotient’s research team has developed an informative carousel titled “Tips to stay safe from document-based phishing. “This resource offers actionable insights and best practices for safeguarding your organization against document-based phishing attacks and strengthening your overall security posture. Implementing these recommendations will help mitigate the risks and protect sensitive information from document-based phishing threats effectively.
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