Detection Method: Content analysis

Content analysis looks at the language and structure of a message to identify signs of phishing, social engineering, and other malicious intent. Instead of scanning for keywords, this method uses natural language understanding (NLU) to detect meaning, intent, and tone across the message.
Content analysis helps detect:
  • BEC attempts with urgent messages from executive impersonators
  • Credential phishing disguised as login or document notifications
  • Callback scams posing as account renewals or fake support
  • Extortion threats or blackmail messages
  • Financial or personal data requests in suspicious contexts
  • Fake job offers targeting employees
  • Invoice fraud, payroll fraud, and more
For example, a phishing email may impersonate a CFO asking for a wire transfer. Content analysis can flag the urgent tone, financial context, and impersonation attempt.
Blog Posts
Hiding a $50,000 BEC financial fraud in a fake email thread · Blog · Sublime Security
Hiding a $50,000 BEC financial fraud in a fake email thread · Blog · Sublime Security
Callback phishing via invoice abuse and distribution list relays · Blog · Sublime Security
Callback phishing via invoice abuse and distribution list relays · Blog · Sublime Security
Hidden credential phishing within EML attachments · Blog · Sublime Security
Hidden credential phishing within EML attachments · Blog · Sublime Security
Living Off the Land: Credential Phishing via Docusign abuse · Blog · Sublime Security
Living Off the Land: Credential Phishing via Docusign abuse · Blog · Sublime Security
Living Off the Land: Callback Phishing via Docusign comment · Blog · Sublime Security
Living Off the Land: Callback Phishing via Docusign comment · Blog · Sublime Security
Adversarial ML: Extortion via LLM Manipulation Tactics · Blog · Sublime Security
Adversarial ML: Extortion via LLM Manipulation Tactics · Blog · Sublime Security
Fake invoice used to conduct $16,800 BEC attempt · Blog · Sublime Security
Fake invoice used to conduct $16,800 BEC attempt · Blog · Sublime Security
QR Code Phishing: Decoding Hidden Threats · Blog · Sublime Security
QR Code Phishing: Decoding Hidden Threats · Blog · Sublime Security
Call Me Maybe? The Rise of Callback Phishing Emails · Blog · Sublime Security
Call Me Maybe? The Rise of Callback Phishing Emails · Blog · Sublime Security
Detecting QakBot: WSF attachments, OneNote files, and generic attack surface reduction · Blog · Sublime Security
Detecting QakBot: WSF attachments, OneNote files, and generic attack surface reduction · Blog · Sublime Security
Attack Types (7):
Credential Phishing
BEC/Fraud
Malware/Ransomware
Spam
Callback Phishing
Extortion
Reconnaissance
Tactics & Techniques (24):
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Evasion
Free email provider
Impersonation: Employee
Spoofing
Out of band pivot
Impersonation: VIP
PDF
Encryption
Free file host
Image as content
QR code
Free subdomain host
HTML smuggling
Scripting
Lookalike domain
Exploit
Open redirect
OneNote
Macros
IPFS
LNK
ISO
Rule Name & Severity
Last Updated
Author
Types, Tactics & Capabilities
Brand impersonation: Google Careers
2h ago
Nov 12th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Sender analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-google-careers-cf2d97ad
VIP Impersonation via Google Group relay with suspicious indicators
3h ago
Nov 12th, 2025
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Malware/Ransomware
Evasion
Free email provider
Impersonation: Employee
Social engineering
Spoofing
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/vip-impersonation-via-google-group-relay-with-suspicious-indicators-57f9cd3b
Spam: Sexually explicit Google group invitation
3h ago
Nov 12th, 2025
Sublime Security
Spam
Free email provider
Social engineering
Content analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/spam-sexually-explicit-google-group-invitation-4e0bec29
Fake message thread with a suspicious link and engaging language from an unknown sender
3h ago
Nov 12th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/fake-message-thread-with-a-suspicious-link-and-engaging-language-from-an-unknown-sender-8fd0e211
BEC/Fraud: Job scam fake thread or plaintext pivot to freemail
3h ago
Nov 12th, 2025
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Free email provider
Out of band pivot
Content analysis
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
/feeds/core/detection-rules/becfraud-job-scam-fake-thread-or-plaintext-pivot-to-freemail-ce21c151
VIP impersonation with charitable donation fraud
3h ago
Nov 12th, 2025
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Impersonation: Employee
Impersonation: VIP
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/vip-impersonation-with-charitable-donation-fraud-35a56b8e
Attachment: PDF with Microsoft Purview message impersonation
2d ago
Nov 10th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
PDF
Social engineering
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Content analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-pdf-with-microsoft-purview-message-impersonation-571d4964
Callback phishing in body or attachment (untrusted sender)
4d ago
Nov 8th, 2025
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Out of band pivot
Social engineering
Content analysis
File analysis
Optical Character Recognition
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/callback-phishing-in-body-or-attachment-untrusted-sender-b93c6f94
Attachment: Encrypted PDF with credential theft body
4d ago
Nov 8th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Encryption
Evasion
PDF
Social engineering
Content analysis
Exif analysis
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-encrypted-pdf-with-credential-theft-body-c9596c9a
Brand impersonation: Survey request with credential theft indicators
4d ago
Nov 8th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Impersonation: Brand
Spoofing
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-survey-request-with-credential-theft-indicators-ea1c0e09
Spam: Fake photo share
4d ago
Nov 8th, 2025
Sublime Security
Spam
Evasion
Social engineering
Content analysis
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Whois
/feeds/core/detection-rules/spam-fake-photo-share-eb086f7d
Brand impersonation: Microsoft with low reputation links
4d ago
Nov 8th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Free file host
Image as content
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Content analysis
File analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Optical Character Recognition
Sender analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-microsoft-with-low-reputation-links-b59201b6
Credential phishing: Suspicious e-sign agreement document notification
5d ago
Nov 7th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
HTML analysis
URL analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/credential-phishing-suspicious-e-sign-agreement-document-notification-9b68c2d8
Brand impersonation: SendGrid
5d ago
Nov 7th, 2025
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Spam
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Optical Character Recognition
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-sendgrid-d800124f
Brand impersonation: Paperless Post
6d ago
Nov 6th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Malware/Ransomware
Impersonation: Brand
Content analysis
Header analysis
HTML analysis
Sender analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-paperless-post-e9ec5e09
Compensation review with QR code in attached EML
7d ago
Nov 5th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
QR code
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Content analysis
Optical Character Recognition
QR code analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/compensation-review-with-qr-code-in-attached-eml-98a2f03c
Brand impersonation: USPS
7d ago
Nov 5th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Image as content
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-usps-28b9130a
Credential theft: Gophish abuse with hidden tracking image
7d ago
Nov 5th, 2025
Sublime Security
Spam
Evasion
Image as content
Content analysis
HTML analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/credential-theft-gophish-abuse-with-hidden-tracking-image-59915ceb
Credential phishing: Fake storage alerts (unsolicited)
7d ago
Nov 5th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Content analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/credential-phishing-fake-storage-alerts-unsolicited-750f04d6
Spam: Mastercard promotional content with image-based body
7d ago
Nov 5th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Spam
Image as content
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Optical Character Recognition
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/spam-mastercard-promotional-content-with-image-based-body-5f2cb559
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