What type of attack is characterized by personalized messages targeting specific individuals?

The type of attack characterized by personalized messages targeting specific individuals is known as a spear phishing attack. This method involves crafting highly tailored messages that often come from a trusted source or reference specific information known about the victim, making the attack more convincing.

Spear phishing differs from general phishing, which typically involves generic communications sent to a large number of potential victims with the aim of tricking them into divulging personal information or credentials. In spear phishing, the attack is more focused and sophisticated, often targeting people within an organization or individuals who possess valuable information. Attackers may gather intelligence from social media or other data sources to enhance the effectiveness of their approach.

This targeted nature of spear phishing makes it particularly dangerous, as victims may be more likely to fall for these deceptive tactics due to the perceived legitimacy of the communication.