Business Email Compromise (BEC)

What Is Business Email Compromise (BEC)?

Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a type of cybercrime in which attackers use social engineering techniques to gain access to a company's email accounts and use them to commit fraud. BEC attacks are typically targeted at businesses and organizations, and involve the attacker sending emails that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a company executive or trusted partner. The emails often contain malicious links or attachments that can be used to gain access to the company's systems or to steal sensitive information. BEC attacks can also involve the attacker impersonating a company executive and requesting wire transfers or other financial transactions.

Description

Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a type of cybercrime in which attackers use social engineering techniques to gain access to a company's email accounts and use them to commit fraud.

Usage and Examples

BEC attacks are typically targeted at businesses and organizations, and involve the attacker sending emails that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a company executive or trusted partner. The emails often contain malicious links or attachments that can be used to gain access to the company's systems or to steal sensitive information. BEC attacks can also involve the attacker impersonating a company executive and requesting wire transfers or other financial transactions. For example, an attacker may send an email to an employee of a company, pretending to be the CEO, and request that the employee transfer a large sum of money to a bank account controlled by the attacker.