Spear Phishing
/ˈspɪər ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
Definitions
- (n.) A targeted cyberattack using deceptive emails or messages to fraudulently obtain sensitive information from specific individuals or organizations.
The company suffered a data breach after a spear phishing email compromised an employee's credentials.
Related terms
Commentary
Spear phishing is distinguished from general phishing by its highly targeted nature, often requiring careful drafting in legal and compliance contexts to address specific threats to organizations.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.