Sunday | 23 November, 2008
'Whaling' threats target the big fish of the corporate world
Whaling has increasingly been in the news thanks to the ingenious ways a new breed of phishermen collect data to carry out scams and the move towards targeting business networking sites.
Pete Simpson 10/09/2008 14:50:00

The proliferation and popularity of collaborative Web 2.0 sites – there are around 250,000 new registrations to Facebook everyday – has changed the threat landscape and the way businesses need to think about security. Each year, newer technologies and weapons are being unleashed to leave Web users surprised, annoyed and at greater risk.‘Whaling’ or ‘spear phishing’, is one such threat and refers to phishing scams which specifically target high-worth individuals.

According to a recent report by iDefense Labs , a noted security and vulnerability research organization, there were 66 distinct spear phishing attacks in the US between February 2007 and June 2008, with the rate of attacks continuing to accelerate. The report goes on to say that spear phishing groups have claimed more than 15,000 corporate victims in 15 months, with victims’ losses exceeding US$100,000 in some cases. Victims include Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, government agencies and legal firms.

Whaling scams leverage social engineering techniques and contain personal details to trick individuals into thinking the e-mail is genuine. This is an evolution from simple phishing, where e-mails are sent at random, to a much more targeted approach, whereby victims are picked according to their status and supposed wealth. Scammers target these high-level executives through their work e-mail addresses to improve their credibility and include information such as a direct dial telephone number or job title. By making the e-mails seem legitimate rather than looking obviously like spam, these whalers are hoping executives will disclose their bank details and home addresses or will click a link to install malware on their computer.

To emphasise how organised whaling is becoming and the seriousness of the matter, it has been proven that over 95 per cent of whaling attacks are known to have been carried out by just two independent criminal groups . One installs a Browser Helper Object and the other installs a keylogger, both of which perform man-in-the-middle attacks, capable of defeating two-factor authentication. This would involve overcoming two safeguards, such as a password and random memorable security token number.

Computerworld Buyer's Guide - Vendors Matched to this Article
Computerworld Buyer's Guide - Vendors Matched to this Article
Additional Resources
Executive Guides
Whitepapers
Zones
Zone logoZones provide focussed content from Computerworld and leading technology partners.
Newsletter Subscription
Sign up for our Computerworld newsletters!
RSS Feeds
Market Place

 
D-Link Networking Knowledge Centre

D-Link Australia & New Zealand

D-Link is the global leader in connectivity for small, medium and large enterprise business networking. The company is an award-winning designer, developer and manufacturer of networking, broadband, digital electronics, voice and video communication.

To Find out more about D-Link solutions visit www.dlink.com.au

D-Link Networking Knowledge Centre

D-Link Australia & New Zealand

Featured Products

  • IP BASED PHONE SYSTEM
    D-Link VoiceCenter

    D-Link VoiceCenter is an IP based phone system designed to meet the needs of small businesses. D-Link have solely partnered with Microsoft to package Microsoft’s Response Point software to bring you VoiceCenter. For more info on VoiceCenter's products and events please visit: http://voicecenter.dlink.com.au
  • AWARD WINNING STORAGE
    DNS-343 4-Bay NAS Enclosure

    D-Links new 4-bay network attached storage enclosure has just received ZDNet's Editor's Choice award and a rating of 9 out of 10 by Craig Simms from CNET See the review here. The DNS-343 release followed the great success of its smaller sibling the 2-bay DNS-323. Targeted at both the home IT enthusiast and commercial users needing a flexible storage solution the DNS-343 is showing good market performance.
  • EVERY BUSINESS NEEDS ONE
    DSA-3600 Multi-Service Gateway

    Any business that’s serious about networking must consider installing this gateway. Feature rich the DSA-3600 multi-service business gateway is a complete network solution that delivers reliable and cost-effective services to SMB and enterprise branch offices. Perfect for setting up a commercial grade wireless connection for the office the unit is simple and easy to manage.
  • WI-FI FOR MOBILE WORK SITES
    DIR-451 Mobile 3G Router

    Perfect for mobile and temporary work-sites the mobile 3G router quickly and easily can connect your site back to the office. Recently the United States Air Force has used D-Link Mobile 3G routers on its remote base camps to connect soldiers with other Air Force departments, local agencies, friends and families. To see the complete case study click here.

New Products

  • XTREME N DUO ROUTER - DIR-855
    The highly anticipated simultaneous broadcasting dual band wireless N router has arrived. The DIR-855 is set to make massive waves and take home/SOHO wireless networking to a new generation. Unlike other networking manufacturers who promote dual band the new DIR-855 will provide users simultaneous dual band wireless networks, opening up another range of opportunities for wireless networking.
  • DUAL BAND USB ADAPTER
    DWA-160 Xtreme N USB Wi-Fi

    The new dual band wireless N USB adapter is ideal for simultaneous dual band environments. For example in apartment buildings where there are heavily congested 2.4GHz Wi-Fi or at the home stream HD video over the network and making VoIP calls at the same time.

Coming Soon

  • WI-FI ACCESS POINT/BRIDGE
    DAP-1522 Xtreme N Duo

    A new addition to the Xtreme N family this wireless N access point/bridge effectively doubles available wireless bandwidth. Designed for users looking to get a true wireless connection that can handle multiple High-Definition video streaming throughout the house it can take the home network to a new level.
  • GOT NAKED DSL
    DVA-G3670B ADSL2+ Wireless G VoIP Modem Router

    Naked DSL customers now have the perfect feature rich product solution the DVA-G3670B to take advantage of naked DSL features. This ADSL2+ (naked DSL compatible) modem Wireless G router comes with 2 VoIP phone connections and is ideal for the growing market who don't want to pay the unnecessary line rental fee. Ultimately this unit is an ideal all-in-one home network solution and even SOHO small business solution.

Download

Case Studies

Whitepapers

D-Link TV

Watch videos about D-Link products and much more
http://www.dlinktv.com

D-Link Training

Find out more about D-Link products trainings and certification program
http://training.dlink.com.au
Enterprise IT Buyer's Guide
Find Technology Vendors Fast
 
Find vendors by name | Find by category
Sponsored Links