Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing where cybercriminals craft tailored messages to deceive individuals or organizations by appearing as a trusted source.
The attacks are personalized and often aim to trick victims into revealing sensitive information, clicking malicious links, or downloading malware-infected attachments.
Spear phishing is harder to detect than generic phishing and requires vigilance. Practical steps to protect against it include verifying requests independently, enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), limiting public information, and using anti-phishing tools.
In 2025, spear phishing is expected to leverage artificial intelligence for creating hyper-personalized messages. Staying aware, verifying requests, and securing accounts are crucial in defending against these evolving threats.