Which type of phishing specifically targets high profile individuals such as CEOs and politicians?

Whaling is a specific type of phishing that focuses on high-profile targets, such as CEOs, politicians, and other significant figures within an organization. The term "whaling" derives from the idea of targeting large, important individuals, similar to how whalers sought large whales. This method involves crafting highly personalized attacks that exploit the authority and access these individuals have, often utilizing information that is readily available or that can be gathered through various means to make the communication appear legitimate and trustworthy.

Such phishing attempts often involve direct emails or communications that have a high likelihood of eliciting a response due to the authority of the sender, and they typically aim to deceive the victim into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security, such as transferring funds.

In contrast, other types of phishing, like spear phishing, target specific individuals but do not necessarily focus exclusively on those in high-profile positions. Puddle phishing and pharming refer to different methods of manipulating or redirecting users, but they do not specifically denote a targeted approach aimed at high-ranking or well-known individuals.