Phishing attacks account for 41 percent of all digital fraud cases, according to a new report from the cybersecurity company RSA, a sign that one of the most effective tactics for hackers to exploit victims is set to continue.

Attempting to steal personal details through malicious content is one of "the most prolific online fraud tactics developed over the past decade,” said RSA’s quarterly fraud report released Aug. 14.

The study looked at cyber fraud that took place between April 1 and June 30 of this year. Some of the most well known hacks in recent memory have utilized simple phishing tactics to target victims. Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign was hacked by a malicious email sent to campaign chairman John Podesta.

The second most popular form of online fraud occurs through counterfeit web pages, according to the research, an event that accounts for 28 percent of cases.

The report said 71 percent of fraud took place on mobile browsers or applications.

In addition, the RSA report said that Canada and the United States are the two largest targets for phishing.

About Justin Lynch

Justin Lynch is the Associate Editor at Fifth Domain. He has written for the New Yorker, the Associated Press, Foreign Policy, the Atlantic, and others. Follow him on Twitter @just1nlynch.

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