Definition ∞ Employee phishing involves malicious attempts to trick staff into revealing sensitive information or granting unauthorized system access. Attackers typically employ deceptive emails, messages, or websites designed to impersonate legitimate entities, exploiting human vulnerabilities rather than technical flaws. These attacks often seek credentials, financial data, or the deployment of malware within organizational networks. Successful phishing can lead to significant data breaches and financial losses.
Context ∞ In the realm of crypto news, employee phishing is a recurring threat vector responsible for numerous security incidents affecting digital asset exchanges, blockchain projects, and custodial services. Reports frequently detail how internal system compromises often originate from a successful phishing attempt against an employee. This can result in the theft of cryptocurrency or proprietary data. Vigilance against such social engineering tactics remains a paramount concern for operational security.