Think phishing links are just random shady URLs? Nah. They’re handcrafted traps — more like catfish profiles with a PhD in manipulation.

We often blame users for clicking phishing links. But what if you understood how attackers build them — like, the psychology, the tech, the trickery? Once you know how the magician pulls off the trick, you’re way less likely to fall for it.

Let’s reverse-engineer the attacker’s playbook.

Every phishing campaign starts with a goal.
Steal credentials. Drop malware. Hijack sessions. Each goal determines what kind of bait the attacker crafts.

Think of it like a con artist deciding whether to pretend to be a cop or a long-lost cousin. The disguise changes based on what they want from you.

First steps:

• Choose a target (individual, team, or company).
• Identify what that target wants — refunds, urgent updates, pay stubs, missed…