Why do most cyberattacks start with phishing attacks?

Phishing attacks are considered the starting point for most cyberattacks today for several reasons:

1. Ease of Execution: Phishing attacks are relatively easy to conduct compared to other cyberattacks. They require minimal technical expertise and can be carried out through mass emails or messages.

2. Wide Reach: Phishing attacks have a broad reach since they can be sent to a large number of individuals or organizations simultaneously. This increases the likelihood of at least some recipients falling victim to the attack.

3. Social Engineering: Phishing attacks often rely on social engineering techniques to manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information like login credentials or clicking on malicious links. This psychological manipulation makes them highly effective.

4. Gateway for Further Attacks: Once cybercriminals gain access to a system through a successful phishing attack, they can use it as a foothold to launch more sophisticated and damaging cyberattacks like malware installation, data breaches, or ransomware attacks.

5. Low Cost: Phishing attacks are cost-effective for cybercriminals as they do not require expensive tools or resources, making them a popular choice for initiating cybercrime.

Overall, because of their simplicity, effectiveness, and potential for opening the door to more serious cyber threats, phishing attacks have become the preferred starting point for many cybercriminals today.