Phishers Use Real-Time Checks to Outsmart Security Measures
According to the report, cybercriminals have begun using real-time checks within phishing campaigns to determine whether a victim’s system or browser is under active security inspection. By performing quick, automated lookups in the moment a user clicks a malicious link, attackers can decide whether to serve genuine phishing pages to real users or deliver a harmless page if the link is accessed by security researchers or automated scanning tools. This tactic allows phishing websites to evade detection and remain accessible for longer periods. The article highlights the need for layered defences, ongoing employee awareness training, and robust threat intelligence to identify these increasingly sophisticated phishing tactics.
Cybercriminals are employing real-time validation checks in their latest phishing campaigns, a new study reveals. This technique helps attackers differentiate between genuine user clicks and security scans almost instantly, allowing malicious sites to remain active for longer.
When a user follows a suspicious link, the attacker’s system quickly checks the device’s environment. If it detects signs of security analysis or automated inspection, it displays a clean, harmless webpage. However, real victims—those not flagged as security researchers—are directed to the actual phishing site, designed to steal credentials or personal information.
What Should Businesses Do?
1. Implement Layered Security: Combining URL filtering, behaviour-based detection, and endpoint protection can catch advanced phishing attempts.
2. Employee Education: Regularly remind staff about the risks of clicking on unfamiliar links, even from seemingly legitimate emails.
3. Stay Informed: Monitoring threat intelligence feeds helps organisations identify new phishing domains or suspicious patterns early on.
By adopting these measures, companies can better guard against modern phishing threats that adapt in real time to evade detection.