Top 7 Phishing Techniques Hackers Use (and How to Spot Them)

Phishing is Still One of the Biggest Threats in 2025

Despite all the advances in cybersecurity, phishing remains one of the most effective—and dangerous—ways for attackers to breach businesses. According to recent studies, over 90% of data breaches begin with a phishing email. And it’s not just about shady spam messages anymore. Phishing attacks have become more targeted, more convincing, and more expensive to recover from.

Understanding the techniques behind phishing is your first step to defense.

The Top 7 Phishing Techniques (and How to Spot Them)

1. Business Email Compromise (BEC)

What it is: Attackers spoof or compromise a company executive’s email to trick employees into making payments or sharing sensitive information.

Red flags:

• Unusual payment requests

• Urgency or secrecy ("Please handle this discreetly")

• Slight misspellings in email addresses

Pro Tip: Always verify large requests by phone or through another internal channel.

2. Spear Phishing

What it is: Targeted emails that appear to come from someone you know or trust, often personalized with your name, company, or role.

Red flags:

• Personalized yet unexpected messages

• Attachments from unfamiliar senders

• Links that don’t match the domain they appear to be from

Pro Tip: Hover over links before clicking. Use preview tools or email security platforms to analyze content.

3. Clone Phishing

What it is: Attackers copy a legitimate email you’ve already received, then resend it with malicious attachments or links.

Red flags:

• Identical formatting to a previous email, but with altered links

• Urging you to open an updated file or re-click a link

Pro Tip: If you’ve already acted on an email, double-check with the original sender before responding to a new version.

4. Voice Phishing (Vishing)

What it is: Cybercriminals use phone calls pretending to be IT support, banks, or even law enforcement to trick users into giving up information.

Red flags:

• Calls from unknown numbers asking for credentials

• Requests for MFA codes or login info

Pro Tip: Never share personal or login information over a phone call you didn’t initiate. Hang up and call the official number.

5. Smishing (SMS Phishing)

What it is: Fraudulent messages sent via text (SMS) with malicious links or requests for personal information.

Red flags:

• Texts claiming you've won something or missed a delivery

• URLs shortened with tools like bit.ly

Pro Tip: Never click links in texts from unknown senders. Always access accounts through the official app or website.

6. Malvertising (Malicious Ads)

What it is: Fake ads on legitimate websites that lead to phishing websites or install malware.

Red flags:

• Pop-ups offering free software, prizes, or security alerts

• Ads redirecting you to unfamiliar URLs

Pro Tip: Use an ad blocker and train users not to trust pop-up “alerts” or download offers.

7. Fake Login Pages (Credential Harvesting)

What it is: Phishing emails or ads send you to a login page that looks exactly like your bank, Microsoft 365, or another service—but it’s a fake.

Red flags:

• Login pages with unusual URLs

• Emails that say “your account is locked” with a link to fix it

Pro Tip: Always type login URLs manually or use password managers—they won’t fill in fake sites.

Final Thoughts: Train People, Not Just Systems

Technology helps, but people are your first line of defense. Regular phishing simulations and training can reduce click rates by over 70%. Combine user education with tools like:

• Advanced email filtering

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

• Real-time link scanning

Remember: When in doubt, don’t click. Verify.

Want to test your team’s phishing awareness?
Contact us to schedule a free phishing simulation and cybersecurity training session.