Spear Phishing
Targeted phishing attack
Example
I almost got tricked by a spear phishing email but verified that the sender's address was illegitimate
Spear phishing definition by Slang.net - The Slang Dictionary
This page explains what the slang term "Spear phishing" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been manually compiled and written by the Slang.net team.
We are continually updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. Want to suggest a new term or an update to this page? Let us know!
Are you financially literate?
Spear phishing is a cyber attack targeted toward specific individuals, a group of individuals, or an organization to steal financial or personal information. It features personalized information, which differs from traditional phishing attacks that employ a vaguer, scattershot approach.
The name comes from spearfishing, which involves a spear being hurled at fish to kill them. Spear phishing typically incorporates personalized information a user has shared in emails and social media that an attacker gathers and compiles to craft a custom attack.
What does spear phishing look like?
Attackers may spear phish in various ways, but the most common method is a direct email that includes a malicious file attachment or link and requests urgent action from the victim. The best way to combat spear-phishing attacks is to verify the sender's identity by contacting them directly.