What Is a Spoofing Attack?

Ever get a suspicious email from “Amazon” about a purchase you don’t remember making? Or a call from your “bank” that just doesn’t sound right? You might have been the target of a spoofing attack.

Spoofing is a type of cyberattack where someone pretends to be a trusted source — like a company, coworker or even your GPS — to trick you into giving up personal information, clicking a malicious link or downloading harmful software.

Let’s break it down: how it works, what it looks like and how you can protect yourself.

What is spoofing?

In simple terms, spoofing happens when a person or system disguises itself as something else. The goal is usually to:

Steal money or sensitive data
Access secure systems
Spread malware

Spoofers do this by mimicking legitimate sources. Think of emails, websites or even phone numbers that appear completely normal at first glance. That’s what makes spoofing so dangerous — it plays on your trust.

Common types of spoofing attacks

Spoofing isn’t one-size-fits-all. It comes in a variety of forms. Here are some of the most common:

Email spoofing

Attackers forge email headers to make it look like the message is coming from a legitimate contact or organization. This type of spoofing is often used in phishing scams.

Website or URL spoofing

This involves creating a fake website that closely mimics a legitimate one. The URL might look nearly identical, with only slight differences that are easy to overlook.

Caller ID spoofing

The attacker manipulates caller ID information to make it seem like a phone call is coming from a trusted number, such as a bank or government agency.

Text message spoofing

Similar to email spoofing, attackers send texts that appear to come from a known number. These often include links or urgent requests for personal information.

IP spoofing

This technique involves faking an IP address to disguise the origin of a data packet. It’s often used in denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks to overwhelm a network.

GPS spoofing

The attacker tricks a GPS receiver into showing a false location. This can be used to misdirect people, vehicles or even drones.

Facial or extension spoofing

These newer types involve tricking facial recognition systems or faking browser extensions to steal credentials or spread malware.

How spoofing works in real life

Here’s a common example: you receive an email that looks like it’s from PayPal, saying there was unusual activity on your account. The message urges you to log in through a link to resolve the issue.

That link takes you to a website that looks just like PayPal’s login page. Everything — from the logo to the layout — seems legitimate. But it’s not. If you enter your username and password, the attacker now has your credentials. In some cases, clicking the link may also download malware onto your device.

How to protect yourself from spoofing

You don’t need to be a tech expert to protect yourself. A few simple habits can go a long way:

Be observant

Check for grammar mistakes, odd phrasing or anything that seems slightly off. Most legitimate businesses don’t send out emails full of errors.

Double-check the sender

Spoofed emails might look real at first glance, but look closely at the address. A slight misspelling like “[email protected]” instead of “[email protected]” is a common red flag.

Don’t click suspicious links or download unexpected attachments

If something seems off, don’t click. You can always go directly to the company’s website or contact the person through another channel to confirm.

Watch out for phone spoofing

If a caller is asking for personal information, hang up and call back using the official number listed on the company’s website. You can also use caller ID apps to flag suspicious numbers.

Protect yourself with Horizon card controls

Card controls give you an extra layer of protection against spoofing. With card controls you can:

Set limits on how and where your card can be used
Get instant alerts for every transaction
Turn off your card if you expect the card number has been stolen
And more

Card controls help you proactively protect your money, and they’re super easy to use! Just log in to digital banking to set them up.

Take spoofing seriously

Spoofing is more than just an annoyance — it’s a serious hazard. Unlike phishing, which often looks suspicious, spoofing works by appearing completely trustworthy. That’s what makes it so effective.

By staying alert, checking twice before clicking and being cautious with personal information, you can lower your risk and help protect yourself and others. Cybercriminals count on people being too busy or distracted to notice the warning signs. A few extra seconds of caution can make all the difference.