Spear Phishing: 75.78% Report Being Specifically Targeted

Spear phishing has emerged as a sophisticated scamming technique, targeting specific individuals or groups with personalized scams to steal data, install malware, or steal money. Unlike traditional phishing, spear phishing is more targeted and poses a significant threat. Are you safe from this?

Real Research, an online survey app, conducted a survey on ‘Spear Phishing’; the findings revealed that 52.8% of respondents were completely aware of the term, 38.42% were vaguely aware, and 8.78% were completely unaware.

Highlights

• 57.52% of respondents believe spear phishing is a bigger threat than bulk phishing
• 75.78% felt messages were targeted, with 75.49% noting the use of personal details to gain trust
• 75.54% are worried about spear-phishing attacks on government officials

Perceived Threat of Spear Phishing

When asked if spear phishing poses a bigger threat than bulk phishing scams, 57.52% of respondents believed it does, while 19% disagreed, and 23.48% thought both types pose an equal threat.

Responding to Suspicious Messages

Regarding responses to suspicious messages, 41.54% said they would ignore and delete them, 39.18% would verify the sender’s identity through another trusted channel, and 19.28% would open and respond normally. The survey found that 63.66% of respondents had received unsolicited messages that seemed suspicious, while 36.34% had not.

Targeted Messages and Trust

Among those who received such messages, 75.78% felt they were specifically targeted, 40.62% said the messages appeared to be from legitimate organizations, 20.48% from someone they know, and 38.89% from strangers. Additionally, 75.49% indicated the messages attempted to gain their trust by referencing personal details or shared interests.

Verification and Sharing of Information

Regarding verification and sharing of information, 37.52% of respondents always verify the sender’s identity before engaging in conversations on social media, 43.32% often do, 14.98% rarely do, and 4.18% never do. Furthermore, 35.36% stated they are not likely to share personal information through such messages, while 31.12% are very likely and 33.52% are somewhat likely.

Concern Over Cyberattacks

A recent spear-phishing attack targeting UK officials has raised concerns about cyberattacks on government officials globally. The survey found that 75.54% of respondents are concerned about the possibility of such attacks, while 24.46% are not. When asked if spear phishing poses a threat to national security, 67.72% agreed, while 32.16% disagreed.

Summary

The findings indicate a high level of awareness and concern about spear phishing among the public. The targeted nature of spear phishing attacks makes them a significant threat, not only to individuals but also to organizations and national security. Public awareness and vigilance are crucial in mitigating the impact of these sophisticated scams.