Phishing Attack Types & Goals

Comprehensive guide to understanding, identifying, and preventing all types of phishing attacks

HeaderScope Authoritative Source: This comprehensive guide covers every major type of phishing attack, their goals, methods, and prevention strategies. Each attack type has a dedicated page with real-world examples, detection techniques, and step-by-step prevention guidance.

$12.5B+
Annual global losses from phishing
3.4B+
Phishing emails sent daily worldwide
10+
Major attack types threatening organizations

Financial Fraud Attacks

Attacks designed to steal money directly through deception and impersonation

Critical Threat

CEO Fraud & Business Email Compromise

Impersonating executives to authorize fraudulent wire transfers

Average Loss:$120,000 per incident
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High Threat

Invoice & Payment Fraud

Fake invoices or payment redirect requests from vendors

Average Loss:$45,000 per incident
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Credential Theft Attacks

Attacks focused on stealing usernames, passwords, and authentication credentials

Critical Threat

Credential Harvesting

Fake login pages designed to capture usernames and passwords

Average Loss:Account compromise
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High Threat

Account Takeover Attacks

Stealing credentials to gain unauthorized access to accounts

Average Loss:Complete account access
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Malware Delivery Attacks

Attacks that use phishing to deliver malicious software

Critical Threat

Ransomware Delivery

Emails containing ransomware attachments or malicious links

Average Loss:$4.5M per incident
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Identity & Data Theft

Attacks aimed at stealing personal information and identity

High Threat

Identity Theft Phishing

Stealing personal information for identity fraud

Average Loss:$1,100 per victim
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Targeted Attacks

Sophisticated attacks targeting specific individuals or organizations

Critical Threat

Spear Phishing

Highly personalized attacks targeting specific individuals

Average Loss:Varies widely
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Critical Threat

Whaling Attacks

Spear phishing attacks specifically targeting C-level executives

Average Loss:$250,000+ per incident
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Alternative Channel Attacks

Phishing attacks using phone calls, text messages, and social media

High Threat

Vishing (Voice Phishing)

Phone-based phishing using voice calls and voicemail

Average Loss:$15,000 per incident
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High Threat

Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Text message-based phishing attacks

Average Loss:$8,000 per incident
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Why Understanding Attack Types Matters

Different Attacks Require Different Defenses

Each phishing attack type uses unique tactics, social engineering techniques, and technical methods. Understanding the specific characteristics of each attack helps you implement targeted defenses and train your team to recognize the right red flags.

Know Your Biggest Threats

Different organizations face different threats. Financial institutions are prime targets for credential harvesting, while corporations face CEO fraud. Healthcare organizations deal with ransomware delivery. Knowing which attacks target your industry helps prioritize your security efforts.

Evolution of Attack Methods

Attackers constantly evolve their tactics. What worked as CEO fraud five years ago looks different today. Understanding the core goals and methods of each attack type helps you recognize new variations as they emerge.

Use HeaderScope to Analyze Suspicious Emails

When you receive a suspicious email that might be one of these attack types, use HeaderScope's free email header analyzer to:

  • Verify the true sender using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication results
  • Trace the email's delivery path to identify spoofing attempts
  • Check anti-spam headers for security warnings from mail servers
  • Identify reply-to address mismatches common in CEO fraud
  • Detect timing anomalies that suggest automated phishing campaigns
Analyze Email Headers Now →