BlogHacking2ND NOV 2023
AuthorSamir Yawar
3 min read
Hacking

Clone Phishing Exposed: How to Defend Against Cloned Attacks

Twitter
Facebook
WhatsApp
Email
LinkedIn
a feature image about clone phishing

Online scammers have enjoyed enormous success with clone phishing. And it is not hard to understand why. This type of phishing attack involves creating a nearly identical or “cloned” version of a legitimate email or website that doesn't raise eyebrows as it should.

Let us elaborate. Mike receives an email from his favorite online retailer claiming he has won a $500 gift card. The message looks downright convincing. Being the avid shopper he is, Mike proceeds to click on the embedded URL in the email. He is redirected to a webpage that looks almost like the one he shops on. Prompted to enter his username and password, Mike does so without suspecting anything. Moments later, he gets a message that a charge of $1000 was just made on his account. 

What just happened?

Unfortunately, poor Mike has become a victim of clone phishing. 

And he’s not alone.

What is Clone Phishing?

Ever heard of the Duck Test?

The basic premise behind the test is:

“If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.”

When it comes to cybersecurity, things are rarely that simple.

Clone phishing, for example, is one of those things that looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, but is actually a fox hidden in sheep’s clothes hidden in a shoe with a nail going through it and a beautiful big bow tied around it.

An infographic that demonstrates 3 signs you have been sent a clone phishing email

This kind of technique replicates the look, content, and feeling of a legitimate message. It is almost a carbon copy of its original. Clone phishing aims to deceive recipients into believing the message or website is from a trusted source, such as a well-known company, colleague, or friend. The attacker uses the cloned version to trick victims into providing sensitive information, like login credentials, personal data, or financial details.

Here's how clone phishing typically works:

  1. Duplication: The attacker creates an almost exact copy of a legitimate email or website, including logos, content, and design elements, to make it appear genuine.

  2. Spoofed Sender: The attacker alters the sender's email address or name to make it seem as if the message is from a known and trusted source.

  3. Deceptive Content: The cloned email often contains urgent or compelling language to create a sense of urgency, enticing recipients to take immediate action.

  4. Malicious Links or Attachments: The email may include links to fake websites that closely resemble the original site or contains malware-laden attachments.

  5. Targeted Victims: Clone phishing attacks are often targeted towards specific individuals or organizations, making them more convincing and difficult to detect.

Clone phishing shares a lot of traits with spear phishing. Clone phishing employs aspects of spear phishing by focusing on high-privilege users, but it distinguishes itself by replicating messages familiar to the recipient. Official or partner businesses of the targeted organization often use these messages. The cloned message could be a response to an automated communication sent by the targeted business or a replica of an official message from a company with which the targeted organization has dealings.


How to spot a clone phishing email

Good question! Luckily, there are a few tell-tale signs you can watch out for in case you suspect a message is cloned. Attackers usually alter a few crucial details in their cloned messages to get the desired results.

Here are a few red flags to help identify a clone phishing message:

In recent years, hackers have grown increasingly sophisticated in using spoofed emails. These emails don’t just appear as messages you have seen before; they can also appear to be sent by a legitimate business or service provider (like your bank or ISP).

What can I do to prevent clone phishing attacks?

Here is a checklist of things you should do to defeat clone phishing, and how to tell a real message from a fake one:

A checklist that details how to spot and avoid clone phishing attempts

Conclusion

Once you understand that a fake email can look almost indistinguishable to one from a real brand, you know how to spot a clone phishing attempt. We hope this guide helps you to avoid falling victim to phishing scams.

Samir Yawar
Samir Yawar / Content Lead
Samir wants a world where people can instinctively whack online scams and feel accomplished without the need for psychic powers. As an ISC2 member, he is doing his bit to turn cybersecurity awareness training into a fun concept with simple, approachable and accessible content. Reach out to him at X @yawarsamir
FAQsFrequently Asked Questions
Clone phishing is a type of cyber attack where attackers create near-identical replicas (clones) of legitimate websites or emails to deceive users into sharing sensitive information or performing malicious actions.
While traditional phishing uses generic emails or websites to trick users, clone phishing specifically imitates trusted entities to enhance credibility and increase the chances of success. The level of sophistication and realism in clone phishing attacks is higher.
Look for subtle differences in URLs, such as misspellings or slight variations, which may indicate a cloned website. Scrutinize email senders, check for grammar or formatting errors, and be cautious of urgent or suspicious requests for personal information.
Falling victim to clone phishing can result in various consequences, including unauthorized access to accounts, identity theft, financial loss, and data breaches. Cybercriminals can exploit the obtained information for further malicious activities.