7 Types of Phishing Attacks You Need to Know and How to Prevent Them

Phishing attacks continue to be one of the most effective tricks used by cybercriminals. They rely less on hacking systems and more on manipulating people into giving away information. With the right email, call, or text, attackers can steal login credentials, access sensitive files, or convince someone to transfer money.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported 859,532 complaints in 2024 with $16.6 billion in losses, up from $12.5 billion in 2023. Phishing was among the top reported incidents. These numbers show that scams are not only widespread but also costly.

This guide covers the most common phishing types, how they work, and steps you can take to protect yourself and your organization.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is when attackers pretend to be someone you trust—like your bank, a service provider, or even a friend—to trick you into giving up private details. They often create a sense of urgency, saying things like: “Update your password now” or “Verify your account to avoid suspension.”

While email remains the most common channel, phishing attacks now target consumers via text messages, phone calls, fake websites, and even social media. The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) noted that Q1 2025 recorded over 1 million phishing attacks, the highest level since late 2023. They also flagged an increase in phishing emails using QR codes to bypass traditional filters.

7 Types of Phishing Attacks That You Should Know

Phishing attacks come in many forms, each targeting different platforms or using unique tactics. Below, we break down the most common types of phishing that consumers face today.

1. Email Phishing

Email phishing remains one of the most common email scams and effective forms of cyberattack. Attackers impersonate legitimate organizations, such as banks, online retailers, or service providers, to deceive recipients into sharing sensitive information like login credentials or credit card details.

How It Works:

You receive an email that appears to be from a trusted source—often with an urgent message like, "Your account has been compromised!" or "Immediate action required!" The idea here is to create a sense of urgency.

Most of the time, the email contains a link to a page that looks like a legitimate login page, asking you to update your personal information. However, the link leads to a fake website designed to capture your details.

Once you enter your information, attackers can steal your money, hack your accounts, or sell your data on the dark web.

Example:

Imagine you get an email that looks like it’s from your bank, claiming that your account is about to be locked. The email includes a link to “verify your information.” You click the link, which leads you to a page that looks just like your bank’s login page. You enter your details, and within minutes, your account is emptied.

How to Protect Yourself

• Check the sender’s email address: Phishing emails often use slight variations in the sender’s address to look legitimate.
• Verify links: Hover over any links before clicking to ensure the URL matches the official website.
• Email verification tools: If you’re ever unsure about the legitimacy of an email, use email verification tool to check if the sender's email or phone number is trustworthy. If an email is labeled as TOXIC, it’s a red flag that the address may be linked to phishing or malicious activities. These tools help prevent falling for duplicate or malicious emails that appear legitimate.

2. Spear Phishing

Unlike mass phishing attacks, spear phishing is highly targeted. The attacker gathers personal information about you from social media platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn to craft messages that look incredibly convincing.

Why It’s Effective :

Spear phishing messages appear more genuine because they are tailored specifically to you. For example, an attacker might pretend to be someone you know, or even a service you use, to trick you into opening a malicious attachment.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Be suspicious of unexpected attachments, even if they appear to come from friends or trusted sources.
• Always confirm unusual requests by calling the person directly, even if the email looks legitimate.
• Limit what you share publicly about yourself on social media to reduce the risk of being targeted.

3. Whaling Attacks

Whaling is a type of spear phishing that targets high-profile individuals, such as executives or senior managers, but regular consumers can also be targeted. The attackers impersonate trusted entities, like government agencies or well-known companies, and send emails with malicious links or attachments.

Example:

You might receive an email “from the IRS” claiming you owe back taxes. Scammers create emails that urge the recipient to click a link to settle the debt, which leads to a fake payment portal.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Always verify official communications directly by contacting the organization through their official channels, not by responding to unsolicited emails.
• Never click on links that claim to resolve an issue or problem until you confirm that the message is legitimate.

4. Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Smishing is a form of phishing that uses text messages (SMS) to trick individuals into sharing personal information or clicking on malicious links. Attackers often disguise these messages as legitimate communications from trusted sources like banks, government agencies, or delivery services.

Common Tactics

• “Your package is delayed. Click here to reschedule.”
• “Bank alert: Unusual activity detected. Confirm details here.”
• “You’ve won a reward. Claim it now.”

Example:

You receive a text from what appears to be FedEx, claiming your package is delayed. It includes a QR code to "track" your package. Scanning the code directs you to a fake website asking for your credit card number.

Prevention Tips:

• Don’t click links or scan QR codes from unknown senders
• Contact companies using their official support numbers
• Block and report suspicious messages
• Use reverse phone lookup to identify the name and address linked to any landline or cell number. This allows you to confirm whether the sender is a legitimate source or a potential scammer before you engage.

5. Vishing (Voice Phishing)

Vishing scams involve phone calls. Attackers pretend to be from a trusted entity, like a bank or tech support, to steal your personal information.

Example:

A caller claiming to be from "Microsoft Support" says your computer is infected. They ask you to install software that would "fix" the problem, but it actually gives them remote access to your computer.

How to Avoid Scams:

• Use call-blocking apps: Apps like Truecaller or Hiya can help identify and block known scam numbers.
• Hang up and call back using the company’s official number
• Never share personal or financial details on unsolicited calls.

6. Clone Phishing

Clone phishing copies a legitimate email you’ve already received, replacing its links or attachments with malicious ones.

Example:

You receive a duplicate of an old vendor invoice. The design matches previous emails, but the “payment link” now routes to a fake site.

Prevention

• Always confirm invoice details directly with the sender, especially if the request is unusual or the email looks familiar but contains discrepancies.
• Inspect URLs carefully before clicking on them. Look for slight variations or unusual characters in the domain name that could indicate a fake site.
• Use email verifier tools to filter suspicious messages. If an email is labeled as TOXIC, it’s a clear red flag. These tools help prevent falling for duplicate or malicious emails that appear legitimate.

7. Angler Phishing

Angler phishing occurs on social media platforms, where attackers impersonate customer support agents from trusted brands.

Example:

You tweet about a problem with your bank account. A fake “support account” replies, offering a solution but asking you to provide sensitive personal details.

Protection Measures :

• Look for the verified account badge before engaging with any company on social media.
• Avoid sharing personal information through social media channels.
• Report suspicious accounts or messages to the platform immediately.

Tips to Protect Yourself from Phishing

Staying safe requires a proactive approach. Here are some steps that help minimize risks:

• Keep software and browsers updated
• Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts
• Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible
• Educate yourself about phishing methods and share this knowledge with others
• Report suspicious emails, calls, or messages to your service providers
• Use identity verification tools to confirm the legitimacy of suspicious contacts

Final Thoughts

Phishing attacks have become smarter, more targeted, and more damaging. The best defense against these attacks is awareness and preparation. Stay cautious with any unsolicited messages or calls, and always verify requests before taking any action.

By staying vigilant and taking proactive measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to phishing scams.