Kalasteluhyökkäys

Kalasteluhyökkäys, known in English as phishing, is a type of cyberattack where malicious actors attempt to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, or personal identification numbers. This deception typically occurs through electronic communication, most commonly email, but also via text messages (smishing) or phone calls (vishing).

The core mechanism of a kalasteluhyökkäys involves impersonation. Attackers often pose as legitimate and trusted entities, such as banks, well-known companies, government agencies, or even colleagues. The messages are crafted to appear authentic, frequently using logos, branding, and language that mimic the real organization.

The goal is to create a sense of urgency or fear, prompting the victim to act without careful consideration. Common tactics include warning of a security breach, an unauthorized transaction, or an account closure. Victims are then instructed to click on a link, download an attachment, or reply with their personal data. The links often lead to fake websites designed to look like the real ones, where the entered information is then captured by the attacker. Attachments may contain malware that infects the user's device.

Kalasteluhyökkäykset pose a significant threat to both individuals and organizations, leading to financial loss, identity theft, and reputational damage. Awareness and skepticism are key defenses against these attacks. Users are advised to scrutinize unsolicited communications, verify the sender's identity through independent channels, avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments, and never share sensitive information via email or text message.