Clone Phishing – Rising threat of 2023

Clone phishing is a deceptive and sophisticated variant of phishing that aims to steal sensitive information, such as login credentials, financial data, or personal information, by imitating legitimate emails or websites. Attackers create convincing copies of real emails, such as invoices, payment requests, or security alerts, and modify them to include malicious links or attachments that can infect computers with malware or direct victims to fake login pages. In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of such phishing attacks and share some tips on how to protect yourself and your business.

Understanding Clone Phishing

Traditional phishing is a type of cyber attack that involves tricking people into disclosing sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or personal information, by sending them fake emails, messages, or websites that impersonate a legitimate entity, such as a bank, a social media platform, or a government agency.

In Clone Phishing, Attackers create convincing copies of real emails, such as invoices, payment requests, or security alerts, and modify them to include malicious links or attachments that can infect computers with malware or direct victims to fake login pages. Hackers often do this by intercepting the message before it reaches to the victim.

How it works?

Cybercriminals create a clone of a legitimate email, often using a spoofed email address that closely resembles the real sender’s. They then replace the original links or attachments with malicious ones and send the cloned email to the target.

• Attackers choose a popular brand to impersonate and create email which is identical to that of original company along with a fake-website using brand characteristics, these can be typo-squatted domains which users do not observe in most cases. which is crafted to gain victim’s trust.

• The clone email is sent large number of individuals, these mails might contain malicious intent or malicious links and the communication will resemble original communication of the brand

• When a victim falls prey to such attack he/she is either redirected to download malware or to a malicious site.

• Attackers harvests victims personal information or credentials using such method.

Clone phishing examples – An urgent email from customer support of any famous companies such as Flipkart, Amazon or others. Clone phishing uses sense of emergency by sending mail which requires immediate attention such as account expiry, Fake virus alert etc.

The role of social engineering

It relies heavily on social engineering to manipulate users into falling for the scam. By using familiar email formats and content, attackers gain the trust of their targets, making it more likely they’ll click on the malicious links or open the infected attachments.

Social engineering tactics are employed to deceive the target into providing their login details by clicking on a link. Some of these techniques involve inducing a sense of urgency, such as threatening to suspend the victim’s account if they do not log in promptly, or enticing them with a reward or benefit for logging in.

In addition, the attacker might use psychological strategies, such as making the victim feel familiar by mentioning their name or personal information in the email or message. Furthermore, incorporating a reputable brand or logo into the email or message can also raise the probability of the victim clicking on the link and giving away their login credentials.

The use of cloned email templates

To make their emails look more authentic, cybercriminals often use templates that closely resemble the ones used by legitimate companies or individuals. This increases the chances that their targets will fall for the scam.

By sending out numerous emails that appear to originate from a trusted entity such as a bank or social media website, attackers can leverage cloned email templates to conduct large-scale phishing campaigns. This approach can enhance the chances of deceiving unsuspecting recipients into disclosing sensitive data or engaging in actions that jeopardize their security.

The targeting of high-profile individuals and businesses

These attacks are often targeted to high-profile individuals and businesses, as they are more likely to have valuable information or assets that cybercriminals can exploit. These targets may also be more susceptible to social engineering due to the increased interest in their affairs.

The Dangers of Clone Phishing

Clone phishing poses a significant threat to individuals and organizations as it aims to deceive users by creating seemingly legitimate and trustworthy email communications. In this type of attack, hackers clone or replicate a genuine email or website to trick recipients into sharing sensitive information or performing malicious actions.

Impact on businesses

These phishing can lead to the theft of sensitive data, including financial information, intellectual property, and customer data. This can have severe consequences for businesses, including regulatory penalties, legal actions, and loss of trust from customers and partners.

A successful attack can tarnish a business’s reputation, leading to a loss of customers and a decline in revenue. It can also make it more challenging to attract new clients and partners.

Impact on individuals

Victims of these phishing may have their personal information stolen, which can be used to commit identity theft or other forms of fraud. This can result in financial losses, damaged credit, and a host of other problems.

These phishing attacks can lead to direct financial losses for individuals if cybercriminals gain access to bank accounts or other financial assets.

These phishing attacks can be costly for both businesses and individuals, with the potential for significant financial losses resulting from data breaches, legal actions, and damaged reputations.

In some cases, these phishing attacks may be used as a precursor to more targeted cyberattacks, such as advanced persistent threats (APTs) or ransomware attacks. By gaining access to a victim’s network or device, cybercriminals can carry out further attacks and wreak even more havoc.

How to Detect Clone Phishing

Detecting clone phishing can be challenging as attackers go to great lengths to make their fraudulent emails or websites appear legitimate. However, there are some strategies and indicators that can help users identify clone phishing attempts. Here are some tips on how to detect clone phishing:

Look for inconsistencies in the email

Carefully examine the email for inconsistencies, such as misspellings, odd formatting, or a mismatch between the sender’s email address and the actual company domain.

Examine the links and attachments

Hover over links to check the destination URL, and avoid opening attachments from unexpected sources or with unusual file types.

Check the email’s tone and content

Legitimate companies typically have a consistent tone and style in their communications. Be wary of emails that seem out of character or include unusual requests.

Verify the legitimacy of the email

If you’re unsure about an email’s authenticity, contact the sender directly through a known, trusted method to confirm the message’s legitimacy.

Use email security tools and softwares

Leverage email security tools, such as spam filters and antivirus software, to help identify and block potential phishing emails. Security software such as antivirus programs or email filters can detect and block suspicious emails before they reach the recipient’s inbox, minimizing the risk of such phishing attacks

How to Prevent Clone Phishing

Preventing clone phishing attacks requires a combination of proactive measures and security practices. By implementing the following preventive steps, individuals and organizations can reduce the risk of falling victim to clone phishing:

Implement robust email security measures

Use advanced, multi-layered email security solutions that prevent malicious and fraudulent impersonation emails from reaching users’ inboxes.

Educate employees and users

Provide regular training and awareness programs for employees and users to help them recognize and avoid phishing attacks.

You can also To combat them effectively, it is recommended to opt for a phishing attack simulation platform, at PhishGrid we provide basic phishing simulations attacks for free. To schedule a free phishing simulation for your organisation, you can contact us and schedule a call.

Establish strong password policies

Implement strong password policies, including the use of unique, complex passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA), to minimize the chances of unauthorized access.

Keep software up to date

Regularly update software, including operating systems, antivirus programs, and email clients, to ensure you have the latest security patches and protections in place.

Develop an incident response plan

Create a comprehensive incident response plan to help your organization quickly respond to and recover from a successful phishing attack or other cyber threats.

Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-Factor Authentication provides an extra layer of security to protect against phishing attacks. This involves the use of a password and an additional authentication method such as a fingerprint or a security token, making it more difficult for cybercriminals to gain access to the account.

Regularly Update Software

It is important to regularly update software such as operating systems, web browsers, and antivirus software to protect against known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals.

FAQ’s

Conclusion

Clone phishing is a dangerous and sophisticated cyber threat that targets both businesses and individuals. By understanding the mechanics of these attacks and implementing robust security measures, you can protect yourself and your organization from the potentially devastating consequences of falling victim to clone phishing.