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
Spam
BEC/Fraud
Callback Phishing
Extortion
Malware/Ransomware
Tactics & Techniques (21):
Social engineering
Impersonation: Brand
Evasion
ICS Phishing
Impersonation: Employee
Free email provider
PDF
Spoofing
Lookalike domain
Out of band pivot
Free subdomain host
Encryption
QR code
Image as content
Macros
Open redirect
Free file host
Impersonation: VIP
Scripting
IPFS
HTML smuggling
Rule Name & Severity
Last Updated
Author
Types, Tactics & Capabilities
Link: Google Forms link with credential theft language
20h ago
May 11th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Spam: Website errors solicitation
5d ago
May 7th, 2026
Sublime Security
Spam
Content analysis
Sender analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Business Email Compromise (BEC) with request for mobile number
5d ago
May 7th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Brand impersonation: Booking.com
6d ago
May 6th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Natural Language Understanding
Header analysis
Sender analysis
Suspicious newly registered reply-to domain with engaging financial or urgent language
6d ago
May 6th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Whois
Link: Cloud service with credential theft language
6d ago
May 6th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Callback phishing via calendar invite
6d ago
May 6th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Social engineering
Evasion
ICS Phishing
File analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Canva infrastructure abuse
8d ago
May 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Callback Phishing
Social engineering
Impersonation: Brand
Impersonation: Employee
Free email provider
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Content analysis
Brand impersonation: Trust Wallet
8d ago
May 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Header analysis
Venmo payment request abuse
8d ago
May 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Impersonation: Brand
Evasion
Natural Language Understanding
Content analysis
Sender analysis
HTML analysis
Brand impersonation: SharePoint PDF attachment with credential theft language
8d ago
May 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
PDF
Evasion
Computer Vision
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Optical Character Recognition
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Header analysis
Whois
Extortion / sextortion (untrusted sender)
8d ago
May 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
Extortion
Social engineering
Spoofing
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Brand impersonation: Sharepoint
8d ago
May 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Content analysis
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Impersonation: Suspected supplier impersonation with suspicious content
8d ago
May 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Evasion
Free email provider
Lookalike domain
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Whois
Callback phishing via Google Group abuse
8d ago
May 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Free email provider
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Optical Character Recognition
Sender analysis
BEC/Fraud: Student loan callback phishing
8d ago
May 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Free email provider
Out of band pivot
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
BEC/Fraud: Generic scam attempt to undisclosed recipients
12d ago
Apr 30th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Link: File sharing impersonation with suspicious language and sending patterns
12d ago
Apr 30th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Free subdomain host
Impersonation: Brand
Natural Language Understanding
URL analysis
Sender analysis
Header analysis
Content analysis
Adobe branded PDF file linking to a password-protected file from untrusted sender
13d ago
Apr 29th, 2026
Sublime Security
Malware/Ransomware
Encryption
Evasion
Impersonation: Brand
PDF
Archive analysis
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Optical Character Recognition
Attachment: QR code link with base64-encoded recipient address
13d ago
Apr 29th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
QR code
Image as content
Social engineering
Evasion
PDF
Macros
Computer Vision
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
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