Key Difference Between Vishing and Phishing Attacks

C.

Both vishing and phishing attacks are types of social engineering attacks that are used by attackers to deceive and manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information or performing a particular action. However, the key difference between vishing and phishing lies in the communication channel that is used to launch the attack.

Phishing attacks are typically carried out via email, social media, or messaging platforms. In these attacks, the attacker sends a message that appears to be from a trusted source, such as a bank or an online retailer, and lures the victim into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. Once the victim interacts with the malicious content, their sensitive information, such as login credentials, credit card information, or personal data, is captured by the attacker.

On the other hand, vishing attacks are conducted over the phone or VoIP services. In vishing attacks, the attacker uses a pre-recorded or live voice message to pose as a representative of a trusted organization, such as a bank or a government agency, and convinces the victim to reveal sensitive information or perform an action, such as transferring money or installing malware. The attacker may use spoofed caller ID or social engineering techniques, such as urgency or authority, to make the victim comply with their demands.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is C. Vishing attacks are accomplished using telephony services. While phishing is a category of social engineering attack, it does not describe the key difference between vishing and phishing. Similarly, while phishing attacks can be used to steal a person's identity, this is not specific to phishing and can also occur in other types of social engineering attacks. Finally, vishing attacks do not necessarily require knowledge of the target, as the attacker can use generic messages to target a large number of victims.