In targeted phishing, what is often used to make attacks more convincing?

In targeted phishing, the use of personal information makes attacks significantly more convincing. Cybercriminals often gather information from social media, data leaks, or other publicly available sources to create tailored messages that appear legitimate. When a phishing email addresses an individual by name or references specific details about their job role, interests, or recent activities, it raises the likelihood that the recipient will trust the message and engage with it.

This personalization exploits the recipient's familiarity with the information, making it seem like a credible request. Attackers use personal information not only to establish trust but also to manipulate emotions and provoke urgency, further convincing the target to act without careful consideration.

By contrast, generic greetings or messages that lack personalization diminish the effectiveness of the attack, making them easier to identify as phishing attempts. Likewise, while public knowledge may add some degree of credibility, it does not carry the same weight as specific personal details in forming a believable narrative. Randomized subject lines, on the other hand, tend to be an approach aimed at spreading the attack over a broader audience rather than targeting specific individuals. Thus, personal information is the critical element that escalates the threat level of targeted phishing attacks.