Phishing, The social engineering attack type that most likely requires the attacker to have existing knowledge about the victim is...
Phishing is the social engineering attack type that most likely requires the attacker to have existing knowledge about the victim. This is because phishing attacks are typically personalized and tailored to trick the victim into divulging sensitive information.
Why does phishing require existing knowledge about the victim?
Research: Attackers gather information about their target victims from various sources such as social media profiles, online directories, or previous interactions.
Personalization: With the gathered information, attackers can craft phishing emails or messages that seem highly personalized, including specific details about the victim's interests to appear more convincing.
Trust-building: By using personal details, attackers aim to build trust with the victim, making the victim more likely to lower their guard and respond to the attacker's requests.
Deception: Phishing attacks involve tricking the victim into clicking on malicious links or downloading files containing malware, often using urgency, fear, or promises of rewards to manipulate the victim.
Information extraction: Once the victim falls for the phishing attempt, the attacker can obtain sensitive information like login credentials or financial details, which can be used for further exploitation or identity theft.
Phishing is a highly effective form of social engineering because it relies on the exploitation of trust and familiarity to deceive victims. It is essential for individuals and organizations to stay vigilant and educate themselves on how to identify and respond to phishing attempts to protect their personal and sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.