Data Entry Attack

Understanding the Attack

A data entry attack is a targeted effort where attackers deceive victims into entering their login credentials on a fake website. These attacks often leverage email spoofing, creating a sense of urgency or trust to compel the victim to act quickly.

This is an example of a Data Entry Attack, once clicked the user is directed to a fake landing page

Checklist


Real-world Examples

  • A corporate employee receives an email that appears to be from the IT department, instructing them to update their password on a fake company portal.

  • A user gets a notification from a popular social media platform about unusual activity and is redirected to a fake social media site to log in.

  • A recipient is notified that they are running late for a Teams or Zoom meeting and receives an email with a link to join the meeting. In their haste, they click the link and are prompted to log in on a fake Teams or Zoom login page, unknowingly entering their credentials.

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User Detection Methods

To help employees recognize and respond to Data Entry phishing attempts effectively, the following user detection methods can be incorporated into training programs:

Email Analysis

  • Check Sender Details: Verify the sender's email address and domain to ensure they match the legitimate source.

  • Look for Red Flags: Be wary of emails with poor grammar, spelling errors, or unusual formatting.

URL Inspection

  • Hover Over Links: Before clicking, hover over links to view the actual URL and ensure it points to a legitimate site.

  • Check for HTTPS: Ensure the website URL starts with "https://" and look for a padlock symbol, indicating a secure connection.

Content Verification

  • Suspicious Attachments: Avoid opening unexpected attachments or downloading files from unknown sources.

  • Urgency and Threats: Be cautious of emails that create a sense of urgency, pressure to act quickly, or threaten negative consequences.

Login Page Checks

  • Website Appearance: Verify that the login page looks exactly as expected. Fake sites often have slight visual discrepancies.

  • Double-Check URLs: Manually type the known URL of the website into your browser instead of clicking on links in emails.

Communication Verification

  • Cross-Check Requests: If an email asks for sensitive information, verify the request through a separate communication channel, such as a phone call to the supposed sender.

Incident Reporting

  • Report Suspicious Emails: Immediately report any suspicious emails to the IT or security department for further analysis.

  • Use Reporting Tools: Deploy the Lucy Phish Button for all users to use as a reporting tool.


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