There’s a high chance that you or someone you know has been impacted by email fraud or identity theft. At the very least, you’ve likely received a variety of spam emails and text messages asking to provide a payment or confirm your identity.

The good news is that cybersecurity protection is constantly evolving and improving, with cybersecurity education programs preparing skilled professionals to enter the front lines against cybercrime. The less-than-good news: as cybersecurity protection evolves, so do the attack methods used to steal your personal information. Companies and organizations are often doing their best to protect customers and employees, but the threat is very real.

In fact, two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies “remain vulnerable to getting impersonated in phishing scams targeting their customers, partners, inventors, and the general public.”

Keep these alarming statistics in mind from PurpleSec:

  • 92% of malware is delivered by email.
  • Nearly 60 million people in the U.S. have been impacted by identity theft.

So, what are some of the latest trends in online deception, and how are hackers adapting when it comes to email fraud and identity theft? Let’s find out.

Personalized email scams

Have you ever received a suspicious email from a family member, co-worker, or friend asking for help? Or maybe you found a note in your inbox from the United States Postal Service asking you to submit payment for a package they’re holding for you. The Conversation, an independent news organization, explains that we’re more likely to respond to personal requests — and that social media has made it easier than ever for scammers to glean bits of personal information that can be used to create targeted “spear phishing” attacks, which are more persuasive than general phishing emails.

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