Spoofing is a type of cyberattack in which an individual or software program successfully masquerades as another by falsifying data to gain an illegitimate advantage. Spoofing can occur in various forms, each involving manipulation to deceive systems or individuals:
- IP Spoofing: Attackers alter the source IP address of a packet to make it appear as though it originates from a trusted source. This technique is often used to bypass network security measures, making it challenging to trace malicious actions back to the attacker.
- Email Spoofing: Attackers create email messages that seem to come from a legitimate sender, often with the goal of phishing for sensitive information or delivering malware. This type of spoofing is common in phishing attacks where the sender’s address or email content is manipulated to deceive recipients.
- Caller ID Spoofing: This involves changing the displayed caller ID on phone calls to impersonate a trusted number. Often used in phone scams, this type of spoofing can deceive victims into believing they are speaking with a trusted entity such as a bank.
- Website or URL Spoofing: Attackers create fake websites that look identical to legitimate ones, often as part of phishing campaigns. Users who access the spoofed site may enter sensitive data (like login credentials) which attackers then steal.
Overall, spoofing is a significant threat as it leverages social engineering and technical manipulation to exploit trust, deceive users, and access or steal information.