Spoofing: what is it and how can you protect yourself?

Imagine receiving an e-mail from your CFO, urgently requesting you to validate a bank transfer. Everything seems normal: same address, same signature, same tone. Except... it's not him. Welcome to the world of spoofing.

Behind this somewhat technical word lies a very real threat to companies and their employees. Spoofing, or the art of usurping a digital identity, is a gateway to numerous attacks: data theft, scams, system infiltration... And yet, too few teams are prepared to deal with it.

Don't panic: we'll explain everything. What is spoofing, how does it work, what are the risks and above all: how can you protect yourself? That's what we look at together in this article.

Definition of spoofing

Spoofing is a digital identity theft technique. In concrete terms, it involves falsifying information to make it appear to come from a legitimate source. E-mail address, telephone number, website, GPS... everything can be made up to deceive the target.

It's a bit like someone putting on a mask of your manager to come and talk to you: the voice, the face, the tone... it all seems real. Except it's not him, and he wants access to your login details.

Spoofing is often used as a prelude to other attacks, such as phishing, malware or ransomware. In companies, spoofing can target both employees and information systems.

The different types of spoofing

There are several forms of spoofing, depending on the communication channels used by the attackers. Here is a summary of the most commonly used.

IP address spoofing

The attacker falsifies its IP address to mask its true origin. This makes it possible to bypass access restrictions or launch DDoS (denial of service) attacks. This type of spoofing is difficult to detect without specialized tools, as everything seems to "come from the inside".

E-mail spoofing

This is one of the most widespread forms. The attacker sends an e-mail pretending to be a trusted person (CEO, CFO, service provider, etc.). The sender's address is falsified, and the message often urges a quick action: click on a malicious link, open an attachment, validate a banking transaction.

This technique is particularly formidable because of its simplicity. The SMTP protocol used for e-mail does not systematically verify the identity of the sender. Without protection, anyone can "pretend" to be who they say they are.

Telephone spoofing (identity theft during calls)

Also known as "caller ID spoofing", this process enables a fraudster to call from a falsified number, often that of a bank or government agency. The aim: to collect sensitive data (card codes, identifiers, etc.) by playing on trust.

This type of spoofing particularly affects teams with little training in this type of threat.

Website spoofing (DNS spoofing)

This involves manipulating domain name systems (DNS) to redirect Internet users to a fake site that looks exactly like an official one. Example: a fake HRIS portal or a fake Google login interface.

Confident users enter their credentials... which are immediately captured by the attacker.

SMS spoofing

Spoofed SMS messages use a forged sender name. They imitate well-known brands or services to entice recipients to click on fraudulent links. This method, which has been on the increase in recent years, targets both customers and employees.

How does spoofing work?

Spoofing is based on flaws in communication protocols, which do not systematically check the legitimacy of the source. This is the case for e-mail, telephone and DNS.

The attacker uses tools to modify message header fields, or to manipulate DNS. They can also use malware to take control of stolen machines or credentials.

In all cases, the aim is to deceive: to make people believe that the request is legitimate in order to spur them into action. And the more urgent the request, the greater the chances of success.

How to detect spoofing

Certain techniques can help you detect spoofing before it's too late. Here are some signs that should alert you immediately:

• A strange e-mail from a colleague, but with an unusual tone;
  
  
• A sender address that "looks" right, but isn't 100% correct (e.g. @goooogle.com instead of @google.com);
  
  
• A call from a known number requesting sensitive information;
  
  
• A website with a familiar design, but a slightly different URL.
  
  

Spoofing attacks often play on the smallest details. A keen eye, coupled with theright security tools, can make all the difference.

The risks and consequences of spoofing

The consequences for companies can be far-reaching:

• Leakage of sensitive data (IDs, HR data, confidential documents, etc.);
  
  
• Financial fraud: embezzled bank transfers, president scams, etc. ;
  
  
• Loss of employee and/or customer confidence;
  
  
• Reputation damage in the event of domain or e-mail address usurpation.
  
  

And as is often the case, the consequences are not immediately apparent. Some spoofing attacks settle in over time, in stealth mode, to maximize their effectiveness (and damage).

How can I protect myself from spoofing?

It's not enough to know what spoofing is. We also need to take concrete action to prevent it as much as possible.

Best practices for companies

Prevention is based on 3 pillars: training, vigilance and technology.

• Make your teams aware of identity theft attacks;
  
  
• Establish a clear policy on your official communication channels;
  
  
• Systematically check unusual requests;
  
  
• Centralize digital tools on a reliable, monitored platform.
  
  

To find out more, read our tips on cybersecurity in the workplace.

Protection tools and software

Several protocols are available to enhance e-mail security:

• SPF (Sender Policy Framework): checks that the sending server is authorized;
  
  
• DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): authenticates message content;
  
  
• DMARC: policy for managing non-compliant mail.
  
  

In addition, there are tools that enable you to monitor the state of your digital security on an ongoing basis. These include firewalls, anti-malware, anti-intrusion systems and vulnerability scanners. 

We take a closer look at the the tools you need for cybersecurity in our dedicated article.

What to do in the event of spoofing

In the event of attempted (or suspected) spoofing :

1. Don't click on anything, don't answer;
   
   
2. Alert your IT department or external service provider immediately;
   
   
3. Keep a copy of the message or number for analysis;
   
   
4. Update your passwords if necessary;
   
   
5. Report the incident to the CNIL or the relevant authorities.
   
   

At rzilient, our outsourced IT support accompanies your teams in real time to respond to this type of situation, even remotely.

Frequently asked questions about spoofing :

What's the difference between spoofing and phishing?

Phishing traps the victim with a fraudulent message, often by e-mail or SMS. Spoofing, on the other hand, is the technique used to impersonate the sender. In other words, spoofing is often the means, and phishing the end.

Is spoofing illegal?

Yes, when used to harm, impersonate or gain access to confidential information, spoofing falls under the law. It is considered a criminal offence. There are penalties for both identity theft and related fraud.

Who are the main targets of spoofing?

Attacks are primarily aimed at :

• Employees with access to sensitive data (HR, finance, management);
• Organizations in a growth or restructuring phase;
• Very small businesses are poorly equipped.

How do I report a spoofing attempt?

You can :

• Contact your IT department or cybersecurity provider;
  
  
• Report the e-mail via your inbox (e.g.: "report as phishing" button) ;
  
  
• Forward suspicious e-mail to Signal Spam (France) ;
  
  
• File a complaint for digital identity theft if necessary.
  
  

Conclusion

Spoofing is not a futuristic threat. It's already here, in our messaging systems, our telephones, our everyday tools. And because it's based on the usurpation of trust, it's all the more dangerous in a professional context.

The good news is that it's also possible to protect against them. By combining human vigilance, adapted tools and intelligent automation, companies can regain control.

At rzilient, we help IT, HR and Finance teams to strengthen their digital security on a daily basis, without burdening their processes. An all-in-one platform, customized workflows, responsive human support: that's all you need to say stop to spoofing.

Need a partner to secure your tools and employees? Contact us to discuss your needs.

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