Detection Method: Natural Language Understanding

Natural Language Understanding (NLU) uses machine learning algorithms to analyze and interpret message content, helping systems detect subtle signs of malicious intent. Instead of just matching keywords, NLU looks at the context, tone, urgency, and intent behind the message.
NLU can help you detect:
  • Urgent language commonly used in BEC attacks impersonating executives or departments
  • Credential theft attempts disguised as legitimate service notifications
  • Extortion or blackmail tactics used in intimidation campaigns
  • Financial terms typically found in payment fraud or invoice scams
  • Deceptive job offers designed to steal sensitive information
For example, NLU can identify when an email uses urgent language ("immediate attention required") combined with financial requests ("wire transfer") and impersonation, which are common tactics in BEC attacks.
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
B2B freight-forwarding scams on the rise to evade financial fraud crackdowns · Blog · Sublime Security
B2B freight-forwarding scams on the rise to evade financial fraud crackdowns · Blog · Sublime Security
Hidden credential phishing within EML attachments · Blog · Sublime Security
Hidden credential phishing within EML attachments · Blog · Sublime Security
Adversarial ML: Extortion via LLM Manipulation Tactics · Blog · Sublime Security
Adversarial ML: Extortion via LLM Manipulation Tactics · Blog · Sublime Security
Combating GenAI Email Attacks with BERT LLM · Blog · Sublime Security
Combating GenAI Email Attacks with BERT LLM · Blog · Sublime Security
Payroll Fraud via LLM-Generated Emails · Blog · Sublime Security
Payroll Fraud via LLM-Generated Emails · 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
Attack Types (6):
Credential Phishing
BEC/Fraud
Callback Phishing
Spam
Malware/Ransomware
Extortion
Tactics & Techniques (20):
Social engineering
PDF
Free file host
Free subdomain host
Out of band pivot
Impersonation: Brand
Impersonation: VIP
Image as content
Free email provider
Evasion
Encryption
Spoofing
Impersonation: Employee
Lookalike domain
QR code
Macros
Open redirect
Scripting
IPFS
HTML smuggling
Rule Name & Severity
Last Updated
Author
Types, Tactics & Capabilities
Credential phishing: 'Secure message' and engaging language
3d ago
Mar 27th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Attachment: PDF bid/proposal lure with credential theft indicators
3d ago
Mar 27th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
PDF
Social engineering
Free file host
Free subdomain host
File analysis
Content analysis
Optical Character Recognition
Natural Language Understanding
URL analysis
Exif analysis
Credential phishing: Financial lure via ActiveCampaign infrastructure
3d ago
Mar 27th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Callback phishing in body or attachment (untrusted sender)
3d ago
Mar 27th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Out of band pivot
Social engineering
Content analysis
File analysis
Optical Character Recognition
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Business Email Compromise (BEC) with request for mobile number
4d ago
Mar 26th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Service abuse: AWS SNS callback scam impersonation
4d ago
Mar 26th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Out of band pivot
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Callback phishing via Microsoft comment
4d ago
Mar 26th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Out of band pivot
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
VIP impersonation with urgent request (strict match, untrusted sender)
5d ago
Mar 25th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Impersonation: VIP
Social engineering
Content analysis
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
VIP impersonation with BEC language (near match, untrusted sender)
5d ago
Mar 25th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Impersonation: VIP
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Brand impersonation: USPS
5d ago
Mar 25th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Image as content
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Credential phishing: Fake card notification with tracking lure
6d ago
Mar 24th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
URL analysis
Sender analysis
Link: Financial account issue with suspicious indicators
6d ago
Mar 24th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Free file host
Free subdomain host
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
URL analysis
Whois
Cloud storage impersonation with credential theft indicators
7d ago
Mar 23rd, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Free file host
Image as content
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Optical Character Recognition
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Credential phishing: Suspicious subject with urgent financial request and link
7d ago
Mar 23rd, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Spam: Fake dating profile notification
10d ago
Mar 20th, 2026
Sublime Security
Spam
Free email provider
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Link: Free file hosting with undisclosed recipients
11d ago
Mar 19th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Malware/Ransomware
Free file host
Free subdomain host
Evasion
Header analysis
URL analysis
Sender analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Service abuse: Substack credential theft with confusable characters and branded button redirects
11d ago
Mar 19th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Evasion
Sender analysis
HTML analysis
Natural Language Understanding
URL analysis
EML attachment with credential theft language (unknown sender)
13d ago
Mar 17th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Evasion
Social engineering
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Content analysis
Header analysis
Attachment: PDF proposal with credential theft indicators
13d ago
Mar 17th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
PDF
Social engineering
Evasion
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Optical Character Recognition
URL analysis
Service abuse: Google Calendar notification with callback scam language
14d ago
Mar 16th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Out of band pivot
Social engineering
Natural Language Understanding
Content analysis
Sender analysis
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