In today’s digital age, cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. Among these, webfishing – a term related to the broader phishing threat landscape – has seen an uptick in occurrences and refinements in its approach. If you’ve recently received a cryptic, out-of-place message like “What was that?”, you may have encountered a new method by which cybercriminals attempt to break your digital security barrier.
TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read)
The “What was that?” message is part of a broader scheme tied to webfishing – a form of phishing attack aimed at tricking users into engaging or clicking malicious links. It may seem harmless but usually leads to an interaction designed to steal sensitive data or inject malware. Avoid replying, clicking unknown links, or engaging with unfamiliar senders. User education and awareness remain the strongest defensive tools.
What Is Webfishing?
Webfishing is a malicious tactic that falls under the wider umbrella of phishing attacks. Unlike traditional phishing, which might come through emails designed to spoof well-known institutions, webfishing often appears as confusing, vague, or seemingly accidental messages. These are crafted to provoke a response or interaction – which cybercriminals then use to escalate the attack.
- Method: Tricking users to visit malicious URLs or respond to bait messages.
- Medium: Can be distributed through SMS, emails, messaging platforms, and social media.
- Goal: Data harvesting, malware distribution, or social engineering for deeper attacks.
The Curious Case of “What Was That?”
One of the more recent trends in webfishing is the sudden message that simply states: “What was that?” This curious and vague question is not an innocent inquiry – it is carefully designed to trigger an emotional or confused reaction. The hope is that the recipient will respond, click the profile, or follow a malicious link included with or shortly after the message.
Cybersecurity professionals have identified this as a social engineering tactic. Once the user responds, attackers often follow up with messages directing them to “view a video” or “confirm what they sent.” These messages contain embedded links to phishing websites that steal credentials or drop malicious code onto the user’s system.
The Psychology Behind the Message
Hackers use psychology and manipulation to exploit human behavior and curiosity. The “What was that?” message works on several levels:
- Confusion: Causes the recipient to pause and question whether they missed something.
- Guilt: The suggestion that you may have sent something awkward or out-of-place often prompts a response.
- Engagement: These messages succeed when the user opens a line of communication or clicks a link.
The more users respond to such messages, the more information threat actors can gather. From IP addresses to behavioral details (such as online activity patterns), attackers can fine-tune their approach for future attempts. This is why even a seemingly simple question can be far more dangerous than it appears.
How These Attacks Are Delivered
Although some messages may appear via email, “What was that?” messages are often seen on social platforms – especially messaging services like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, or even SMS. They often appear to come from friends or someone in your contact list whose account may already have been compromised.
Once the first message receives a response, the attacker may deploy several tactics, including:
- Sending a fake YouTube or Dropbox link that contains malware.
- Encouraging you to “re-watch” or “explain” a video allegedly sent by you.
- Redirecting to phishing websites that look legitimate but harvest login or personal data.
How to Identify a Webfishing Attempt
Here are signs that a message or interaction might be part of a webfishing attempt:
- Unexpected query: Vague questions like “What was that?” or “Did you mean to send that?” with no context.
- Unfamiliar formatting: Messages that include unusual links, emojis, or poor grammar.
- Pressure to respond: Follow-up messages urging you to reply, watch something, or click quickly.
- Account name discrepancies: Slight spelling changes in usernames or unfamiliar contacts mimicking familiar ones.
What to Do if You Receive One
If you receive a message that sounds like a webfishing attempt – especially messages with suspicious content or links – do the following:
- Do not respond or click any links.
- Verify the sender’s identity through another communication channel.
- Block and report the message through the platform’s reporting tools.
- Alert your contacts if you think your account or theirs might have been compromised.
- Run updated antivirus scans or use malware detection software if you’ve clicked anything suspicious.
Why Reporting Matters
When you encounter webfishing, acting quickly can prevent the spread of the attack and protect others. Reporting suspicious messages helps platforms track and take down fake accounts or compromised users. It also contributes to global threat datasets used by cybersecurity firms and researchers to anticipate and neutralize emerging tactics.
Preventive Measures
While no system is entirely immune from attack, several steps can significantly reduce your risk of falling for webfishing attempts:
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): This adds a second barrier to your accounts, even if your credentials are phished.
- Keep software up to date: Regular updates fix known security vulnerabilities.
- Use digital hygiene best practices: Don’t share personal information without verifying the context. Be wary of unfamiliar messages, especially those with links.
- Educate yourself and others: Stay informed about phishing trends and share this awareness with friends and colleagues.
What If You’ve Been Compromised?
If you suspect that you’ve fallen victim to webfishing or clicked on a malicious link, take the following actions immediately:
- Change all related passwords, especially if the attack may have reached email or financial services.
- Monitor your bank and credit accounts for any unauthorized activity.
- Inform your contacts to watch for spoofed messages from your account.
- Contact cybersecurity support if accessed through work or business systems.
- Run a deep virus scan and confirm your system integrity.
Conclusion: Vigilance Is Key
Cybercriminals continue to evolve their tactics, and social engineering remains a powerful vector of attack. The seemingly harmless “What was that?” message is a clear example of how attackers exploit our curiosity and social instincts to draw us into dangerous interactions. By remaining skeptical, informed, and proactive, you greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Always remember: when in doubt, don’t click, don’t reply – verify first.
Maintaining strong digital awareness can protect not only you but countless others in your network from falling into the same traps.