Phishing in Web 3.0

Opportunities for the Attackers, Challenges for the Defenders

Abstract

The emergence of Web 3.0 technologies is undoubtedly shifting the phishing threat landscape by empowering traditional attack vectors and forcing attackers to adapt and leverage new techniques. Offering new opportunities for the attackers to exploit and adding new challenges for cybersecurity professionals. This paper aims to exhibit the evolution of phishing attacks in Web 3.0, the different techniques and novel technologies cybercriminals leverage for scaling phishing campaigns, and explores the challenges and promising solutions defenders can adopt to narrow the strategic gap in this emerging component of the attack vector. The paper commences by summarizing the different wide web generations until it reaches Web 3.0 and starts exploring its architectural distinguishing features. Afterward, it deductively treats the convoluting threats of the new web technology as an entrance to focus on phishing attacks by discussing the concept of phishing from various angles while shedding light on emerging threats from phishing 3.0 and potential solutions that can make a substantial impact.