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.


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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