What Is Clone Phishing? Prevention Solutions for Your Business
Clone phishing is an increasing menace to both businesses and individuals. These look-alike emails can be quite convincing, and preventing clone phishing assaults requires the proper technology and know-how. Not sure what clone phishing is or how it works? Don’t panic. By the end of this post, you’ll be equipped with the necessary knowledge to detect these deceptive emails.
Key Takeaways?
In clone phishing, scammers clone legitimate emails or entire websites.
The cloned version contains malware or malicious links.
Deceptive appearance makes it hard to differentiate from the original.
What Is Clone Phishing?
Clone phishing is a deceptive social engineering attack where scammers create nearly identical copies of legitimate emails or messages. These cloned communications aim to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware.
Clone Phishing Definition?
Clone phishing is a type of phishing attack where the attacker duplicates an email that someone has previously received.
The scammer creates an almost identical replica (or clone) of a legitimate email, text, social media account, or website.
They meticulously copy logos, layout, and content, making it difficult to distinguish from the original. However, the key difference is that the cloned version contains a malicious attachment or link.
When the recipient interacts with this attachment or link, their device becomes infected with malware, or they are directed to a site where their information becomes accessible to the attacker.
Clone Phishing vs. Spear Phishing
Clone Phishing
Imagine you’re going through your inbox, and there it is—a seemingly innocent email from your bank. The logo looks legit, the tone is professional, and it even references that recent transaction you made. But wait! Something’s fishy. You’ve seen this email before. It’s like déjà vu, but with a malicious twist.
What’s the issue? In clone phishing, attackers clone existing emails, replicating them down to the last pixel. They swap out the original attachments or links with their sneaky counterparts. So, that “invoice” attachment is actually malware in disguise. Do not click on it because your device might just throw a digital tantrum.
What to do Keep an eye out for identical twins—two copies of the same email. Also, if the sender’s domain name is slightly off (like “bankofamericaa.com”), this is a strong sign that this is not a legitimate email sender. Double-check to be sure.
And remember, stay alert if the email asks you to take immediate action: “Your account is compromised! Click here NOW!”
Spear Phishing
Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing where attackers customize their messages for specific individuals or organizations. Unlike generic phishing, spear phishing focuses on a particular victim, often using personal information to increase credibility. The goal is to trick the recipient into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that benefit the attacker.
Picture this: You’re a high-profile executive, juggling emails, meetings, and a cup of lukewarm coffee. Suddenly, an email lands in your inbox. It’s personalized—your name, your company’s logo, and details about that recent conference you attended. It’s like the sender knows you better than your barista. This could be a spear phishing email. Check these signs:
What’s the issue? Spear phishers are like digital snipers. They research their victims—LinkedIn profiles, social media posts, anything they can find. Armed with personal tidbits, they craft custom emails. Maybe it’s a fake HR notice or a “CEO urgent request.” But the goal is the same, to get you to give away personal information like passwords with these email tricks.
What to do Stay skeptical. Verify sender details, especially if they’re asking for sensitive info. Pay attention to the tone they use to write the email. Any difference in the writing style can be a sign of email impersonation.
Key Points
Targeted: Attackers tailor messages to specific victims.
Personalization: Scammers use personal details to enhance credibility.
Goals: Obtain sensitive information or compromise security.
How Does Clone Phishing Work?
Check out how cybercriminals craft their clone phishing emails so you know how to detect one.
Step One: Scammers Impersonate a Company?
In the first step, cybercriminals choose a legitimate company or organization to impersonate. They might select a well-known bank, an e-commerce platform, or a popular service provider.
The goal is to create a nearly identical replica of an email or message that the victim has previously received from that trusted source.
Step Two: Scammers Send Malicious Links or Attachments?
Once they’ve chosen their target, the scammers meticulously craft a clone phishing email. They copy everything from the original email, including logos, layout, and wording.
The key difference lies in the attachments or links within the email. Instead of legitimate content, these attachments or links lead to malware-infested websites or files.
Step Three: Recipients Are Prompted to Give Information?
Victims receive the clone phishing email, which appears almost identical to the genuine communication they’ve seen before.
The email often creates a sense of urgency or fear. For example, it might claim that the recipient’s account has been compromised or that they need to verify their credentials immediately.
The recipient is prompted to click on a link or download an attachment to address the urgent issue.
Step Four: Scammers Steal Private Information?
When the victim takes the requested action (clicking the link or downloading the attachment), they unknowingly expose their information.
The malicious link could lead to a fake login page where the victim enters their username and password, which the attacker then captures.
Alternatively, the attachment might contain malware that infects the victim’s device, allowing the attacker to steal sensitive information or gain unauthorized access.
Signs of Clone Phishing
Unfamiliar Email Address?
Red Flag: If you receive an email from an address that you don’t recognize or that seems slightly different from the usual sender, be cautious.
What to Do: Verify the sender’s address by checking it against known legitimate addresses. Hover over the sender’s name to see the full email address.
Spelling and Grammatical Errors?
Red Flag: Poor grammar, misspelled words, or awkward sentence structures are common in clone phishing emails.
What to Do: Scrutinize the email carefully. Legitimate organizations usually maintain professional communication standards.
Requests for Private Information?
Red Flag: If an email urgently asks you to provide sensitive information (like passwords, credit card details, or Social Security numbers), be suspicious.
What to Do: Never share sensitive data via email. Verify the request through other channels (e.g., official website or phone call).
Urgent Language?
Red Flag: Clone phishing emails often create a sense of urgency. They might claim your account is compromised or that immediate action is required.
What to Do: Stay calm. Don’t rush to click links or download attachments. Verify the urgency independently.
Password Managers Not Working?
Red Flag: An email claiming that your password manager isn’t functioning properly could be a clone phishing attempt.
What to Do: Don’t follow any instructions in the email. Instead, check your password manager directly.
Different Domain Extensions?
Red Flag: If the domain extension (e.g., .com, .org, .net) in the link doesn’t match the legitimate organization’s domain, be cautious.
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What to Do: Hover over links to see where they lead. If it’s not the expected domain, don’t click.
Pixelated Images and Design?
Red Flag: Poor-quality images or design inconsistencies can indicate a clone phishing attempt.
What to Do: Examine the email’s visual elements. Legitimate organizations maintain professional branding.
Email Client Warnings?
Red Flag: Your email client (like Gmail or Outlook) warns you about a suspicious email.
What to Do: Take these warnings seriously. Mark the email as spam or delete it.
Examples of Clone Phishing
Customer Support Scams?
In a customer support scam, cybercriminals clone the appearance of legitimate customer service emails or websites. They might impersonate well-known companies, banks, or online services.
In the example below, the scammer is impersonating Amazon Customer Care support and attach a link to update the account’s billing information..
You receive an email claiming to be from your bank’s customer support team. It says there’s an issue with your account and urges you to click a link to verify your details.
It includes the “Login & Update” link, which, when clicked, takes the user to a false Amazon sign-in page where they must enter their email address (or cellphone number) and password.
Image Source: PC Risk
Fake Virus Scams?
In this type of clone phishing, scammers exploit fear related to computer viruses or malware. They create emails that mimic security alerts from antivirus software or operating systems.
Image Source: AVG
Example Scenario:
You receive an urgent email warning that your computer is infected with a dangerous virus. The email instructs you to download an attachment for a security scan.
The attachment contains malware, and by opening it, you may inadvertently compromise your system.
As you can see in the example above, the
Refund Scams?
Refund scams target individuals who recently made online purchases. Scammers clone the appearance of order confirmation or refund emails.
Image Source: OneServe
In the example above, the email claims that the recipient is eligible for a tax refund in the amount of x CAD, and then prompts you to click on a link for where to claim it.
It then requests that you give personal and financial information in order to process the alleged return.
There are two enormous red lights in this scenario that will alarm anyone who is even remotely aware of cyber security: One, the (fake) CRA requires you to click on a link in an unwanted email, and two (an even greater red flag), they request your credit card and personal information.
Top Solutions to Prevent Clone Phishing
Use Spam Filters?
Spam filters automatically identify and divert suspicious or potentially harmful emails away from your inbox.
By reducing the number of phishing emails you see, spam filters minimize the chances of accidentally interacting with a clone phishing attempt.
Check the Sender’s Email Address?
Always scrutinize the sender’s email address. Look for subtle differences (e.g., extra characters, misspellings) that might indicate a cloned address.
Hover your mouse over the sender’s name to reveal the full email address. Ensure it matches the legitimate source.
Don’t Click on Links?
Avoid clicking on links in emails, especially if they appear unexpected or urgent.
Instead of clicking, manually type the website address into your browser. This ensures you visit the legitimate site directly.
Check URL Addresses?
Before clicking any link, examine the URL. Look for inconsistencies or suspicious domain names.
Some clone phishing emails use redirects to take you to a different site than the one displayed in the link.
Look for HTTPS?
Websites with “HTTPS” in their URLs encrypt data transmitted between your browser and the server.
Legitimate websites use HTTPS. If a site lacks it, be cautious—it might be a clone.
Use a Password Manager?
Password managers securely store your login credentials. They help you avoid falling for fake login pages.
When you encounter a login prompt, your password manager can autofill the correct credentials, preventing you from entering them on a malicious site.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA adds an extra layer of security beyond your password. It requires a second form of verification (e.g., a text message or authentication app) to access your accounts.
Even if your password is compromised, MFA prevents unauthorized access.
Contact a Trusted Source?
If you receive an urgent email (e.g., account compromise), don’t panic. Instead, look for official contact information (from their website or other trusted sources) to verify the situation.
Use Anti-Phishing Software?
Anti-phishing tools scan emails, websites, and links for signs of phishing. They provide real-time protection against clone phishing attempts.
These tools act as an additional layer of defense, catching suspicious content before it reaches you.
Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams with Wingman Solutions
When you have an expert IT support team to have your back, it takes a lot of stress off your plate if you ever encounter a clone phishing email. You’ll know who to ask for help.
These are some of the support services you can enjoy with Wingman Solutions:
Summing Up
Don’t wait for the next clone phishing attack. Contact Wingman Solutions now for a personalized security assessment. Let’s fortify your defenses and keep your digital assets safe.
References
This article was originally published on wingmansolutions.ca