Final answer:
A targeted phishing attack aimed at high-profile individuals like company executives is called spear phishing. It involves personalized emails that mimic legitimate communications to deceive targets into compromising security. Regular security awareness training can help prevent such attacks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of targeted phishing attack where a criminal targets a high-value target, such as a senior company executive, is known as spear phishing. This kind of attack is not a random attempt to steal credentials or install malware; it is a sophisticated and tailored approach. Hackers research their targets, often using information available online, to create a credible ruse. They then send emails that appear legitimate, but contain malicious links or requests for sensitive information. The goal is to deceive the targeted individual into compromising their own or their organization's security.
Organizations often mitigate this risk by conducting regular security awareness training. For example, a university may send out fake phishing emails to their staff to promote critical reading of all communications. High-profile cyber attacks, such as the breach of celebrity iCloud accounts, demonstrate the potential dangers of phishing and underscore the importance of vigilance against such targeted threats.