Cybersecurity definition
What is Spear Phishing?
By Cyber Tool Stack Editorial TeamUpdated
Definition
A phishing attack tailored to a specific person or organization using researched details — a colleague's name, a real project, a familiar vendor — to appear far more convincing than a generic mass phishing email.
Where Spear Phishing fits in the security landscape
These beginner lessons use this term while explaining the surrounding security control.
Related cybersecurity terms
PhishingA social-engineering attack that tricks someone into clicking a malicious link, entering credentials on a fake page, or running an attached file.BECBusiness Email CompromiseA scam where an attacker impersonates an executive, vendor, or trusted contact — often via a compromised or look-alike account — to trick an employee into wiring money or sharing sensitive data, typically without any malware or malicious link involved.