The world has evolved, and so has the art of cyber security and cyber-attacks. A lot has changed from no regulation of phishing simulation to regulatory requirements in some countries. Email is one of the primary means of communication in a business, along with the primary attack vector for an attacker, too, but in 2025, people don't just communicate only through emails but more direct communication through a platform. This is the place that has exponentially experienced the attacks to move upwards. In this article, we will discuss why just email phishing simulation is not enough.
A Phishing Simulation Solution is definitely one of the requirements for an organization to have good cyber hygiene. However, the question is which one to choose, and why, more importantly, just for compliance or for a purpose, and the main question is whether it is worth investing.
Here in this article, we will not discuss the product but the PURPOSE.
Phishing simulation is an exercise to change the habit or, let's say, changing the muscle mind that impulses psychology on what to do in a real scenario. Well, real scenarios may include SMS, voice calls, or even some messaging platform.
But the very important question is: Why Invest in Such a Program?
The straightforward reason to invest in such programs is because, at the end of the day, you dont want your employees to click on any malicious link or any communication that may lead to a data leak or anything that causes it. This can only be promoted and result in through a PROGRAM and not just a SOLUTION.
The solution should be flexible to drive through a program that is suitable for the company and the industry, and it should amplify the requirement of an Information Security Individual. It should include phishing simulation capabilities such as Vishing (Voice Phishing), Smishing (SMS Phishing), and QR Based Phishing in a structural and systematic way to ensure the muscle memory has been trained.
What is Vishing?
Vishing is a term derived from the words "voice" and "phishing"; it is a social engineering attack over the phone. The attackers practice psychological manipulation in order to trick their targets into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal identification numbers. Unlike traditional phishing, most of which involves emails or messages, vishing uses a voice.
Attackers call the victim, impersonating bank or financial institutional representatives and citing suspicious activities on the account of the victim. They request account details, passwords, or OTPs to be provided to secure the account from government Impersonation. Scammers pose as officials from tax authorities, immigration departments, or law and order departments. They threaten legal consequences unless immediate payment or sensitive information is provided. Tech Support Scams.
- Attackers pose as well-recognized tech companies and inform the victim that his or her device has been infected with malware. The attackers may ask for access to the victim's computer or payment for software that is not needed. Medical or Insurance Fraud.
- Callers impersonate a healthcare provider or insurance company and request personal information to "update" records or process claims. Prize or Lottery Scams:
- Victims are informed that they've won a prize but need to provide personal information or pay a fee to claim it.
- Techniques Used in Vishing Spoofed Caller IDs: Attackers use tools to make the calls appear as if coming from legitimate organizations. Urgency and Threats: They create a sense of urgency or fear to get victims to comply.
- Friendly Tone or Authority: Scammers will either be very friendly or authoritative, whichever works for them.
How to Protect Yourself Verify the Caller?
- Hang up and then call the official number of the organization to verify the authenticity of the call.
- Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information: Do not disclose personal or financial information on calls unless you dialed a trusted entity. Be Skeptical:
- Be cautious with unsolicited calls, especially those that request urgent action or personal information.
- Enable Caller ID and Block Unknown Numbers.
- Filter and block suspicious calls using tools.
What is Smishing?
Smishing - a form of social engineering in which fraudsters utilize text messaging to lure victims into revealing sensitive information, accessing bad links, or downloading malware. Similar to phishing and vishing, the goal of smishing is to use confidence to trick people into compromising their security in some way.
How Smishing Works?
The Bait: Threat actors send a text message that looks like it is coming from a trusted source bank, government agency, or delivery service.
- The message often contains urgent or enticing content, such as:
- Suspicious activity detected in your account.
- A package delivery requires confirmation.
- A prize you’ve won but need to claim.
The Hook
- The message typically includes:
- A link to a fake website that mimics a legitimate one.
- A call-back number through which an individual impersonates an official.
- Instructions to reply with personal information.
The Catch. Those who click the link may be:
- Asked to distribute log-in information, credit card numbers, and the like.
- Tricked into downloading malware that would install apps designed to steal personal data on their device.
- Responding directly can expose them to the attacker's revealing of their information.
What is QR-based Phishing Simulation?
QR-based phishing, which hackers more commonly refer to as "QRishing," employs Quick Response, or simply QR codes, in tricking victims into divulging personal information, downloading malware, or any other kind of hostile activity. In a physical sense, QR codes take the likeness of barcodes; actually, they store digital information such as URLs or even details on the payment. In a very simplified manner, an attacker leverages the ease with which QR codes can be scanned to trick a user into divulging credentials of value.
How QR-Based Phishing Works
Creating the QR Code: An attacker creates a QR code that leads to a malicious website, application, or service.
The destination may be
- A phishing login page posing as a trusted service.
- A website downloading malware on the victim's device.
- A phishing form for capturing sensitive information, such as credentials or payment details.
Distribution of QR Code
Physical Placement - Attackers have placed malicious QR codes on posters, pamphlets, restaurant menus, and public places. Another way is that attackers put a fake QR code on top of the real one. Digital Sharing: QR code is delivered via email, social network, or messaging app. Spoofed Offers: Victims may be tempted by the hacker offering them discounts, offers, or urgent notifications. Victim Exploitation: When the victim uses a phone to scan the QR code, it opens at an endpoint intended by the attacker. Such users can be tricked into giving away credentials, downloading malware, or conducting unauthorized transactions. Some of the few examples of QR-based phishing include the following: Phony Payment Sites Victims scan a QR code linked to a phony portal about a specific kind of payment.
- Credential Harvesting: A QR code targets a phony sign-in page for the most general services like banking, e-mail, and social networks.
- Malware Distribution: Scanning QR codes has managed to download malware-ridden applications and software.
- Business Impersonation: Attackers make use of fake QR codes in order to impersonate companies, even customer service portals.
Beyond Email. Emerging Attack Vectors
While email is still a significant medium for phishing, other platforms are gaining momentum. Lately, smishing, or SMS-based phishing, vishing - the voice variant of phishing - and QR-based phishing have gained significant momentum. Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Slack, and Microsoft Teams are other fertile grounds for attackers to spread their trust-based attacks.
Human Error
Human error is the weakest link in cybersecurity. People have clicked on phishing links, disclosed confidential data, and downloaded malware. Pure email phishing training leaves gaps in readiness, making it easy for targets to attack on all other vectors.
Benefits of a Programmatic Multi-Platform Solution
Comprehensive Risk Assessment
A multi-platform solution allows an organization to simulate phishing across various channels, which can give a much more holistic view of vulnerabilities in employee behavior than is possible with email alone, and it presents a truer picture of organizational risk.
Customized Training Opportunities
The simulation of attacks on the platforms that employees use every day offers better, more focused training. Example:
- A QR phishing simulation would train employees to check URLs before scanning.
- A scenario of smishing could be used to teach users how to identify SMS messages that are fraud in nature.
- Simulations of messaging apps could have the identity of senders verified.
- Proactive Defense Against Sophisticated Threats
- Attackers are constantly changing their methods to get around traditional defenses. A programmatic solution can outpace emerging trends by giving an organization the ability to simulate and prepare for new vectors, fostering a proactive security posture.
Scalability and Customization
- Programmatic by nature, simulations are scalable, meaning an organization can easily deploy these across diverse teams, departments, or geographies. Scenarios can be tailored for relevance to specific roles, further enhancing effectiveness in training.
Measurable Outcomes
- Multi-platform simulations create a lot of data about user behavior and vulnerability. This shall enable organizations to measure the outcome of their training programs, refine their strategies, and show compliance with regulatory requirements.
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
- Technological Complexity
- The multi-platform solution includes integration with various systems and platforms. The support of experienced providers, coupled with advanced simulation tools, can ease the process.
- Balance Between Training and Workload
- Frequent simulations can lead to training fatigue. An organization should, therefore, be in a position to plan its simulations during appropriate times and ensure those relate to real-life situations so that interest in training is maintained.
Conclusion
Email Phishing Simulations Alone Are Not Sufficient in 2025. Relying solely on email-based phishing simulations is no longer adequate in today’s evolving threat landscape. A comprehensive, programmatic approach that simulates multiple attack surfaces enables organizations to navigate complex cybersecurity challenges effectively. This approach not only strengthens individual awareness but also empowers the organization as a whole with robust cybersecurity practices. By adopting multi-platform tactics, companies can proactively stay ahead of cybercriminals, safeguarding their assets, brand reputation, and long-term prospects.
Tuhin PaulPosted Jan 26, 2025, 6:06 PM
You mentioned that a multi-platform solution should be scalable and customizable to cater to diverse teams, departments, or geographies. How do you recommend organizations that their phishing simulation programs are tailored to their specific industry, company culture, and employee behaviors, while also keeping pace with evolving threats and attack vectors? Are there any best practices or frameworks that organizations can follow to achieve this?
Tuhin PaulPosted Jan 26, 2025, 6:06 PM
Thank you, Subham Ray, for this insightful article on why email phishing simulations alone are not sufficient in 2025. Your explanation of emerging attack vectors like smishing, vishing, and QR-based phishing is particularly relevant, and the benefits of a programmatic multi-platform solution are well-argued.