Cybersecurity for Marine Safety Personnel Training Practice Test

Company executives are commonly targeted in whaling attacks mainly because they hold significant authority and access to sensitive information within an organization. Whaling, a type of phishing attack, specifically focuses on high-profile individuals, such as CEOs or other executives, who can be manipulated into sharing confidential data, authorizing financial transactions, or providing access to secure systems.

Attackers often research their targets to create highly personalized and convincing messages, making it more likely for these high-ranking individuals to fall victim to the attack. Because of their position, executives may also be less cautious about unexpected emails or requests, believing they are less likely to be targeted.

In contrast, while social media influencers, general employees, and external contractors can also be targets of phishing attacks, they are not typically the main focus of whaling, which seeks to exploit the influence and access that comes with executive roles. Thus, the emphasis on company executives highlights the high stakes involved in whaling attacks and the importance of robust cybersecurity awareness at all organizational levels, particularly among those in positions of power.