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 (21):
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Spoofing
Free file host
Image as content
Evasion
Scripting
PDF
Impersonation: VIP
Open redirect
Out of band pivot
Lookalike domain
Free email provider
Impersonation: Employee
ICS Phishing
Encryption
QR code
Free subdomain host
HTML smuggling
Macros
IPFS
Rule Name & Severity
Last Updated
Author
Types, Tactics & Capabilities
Brand impersonation: McAfee
2h ago
Aug 27th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
BEC/Fraud
Callback Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Service abuse: Kagoya.net-hosted domains sending English business lures
2h ago
Aug 27th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Spam
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Spoofing
Natural Language Understanding
Header analysis
Sender analysis
Brand impersonation: Microsoft with low reputation links
4h ago
Aug 27th, 2026
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
ClickFix: Clipboard hijack lure with copy-paste-to-terminal instruction
1d ago
Aug 26th, 2026
Sublime Security
Malware/Ransomware
Credential Phishing
Evasion
Social engineering
Scripting
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Link: Self-sender with sender org in subject and credential theft indicator
2d ago
Aug 25th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Evasion
Natural Language Understanding
Content analysis
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Header analysis
Business Email Compromise (BEC) with request for mobile number
2d ago
Aug 25th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Business Email Compromise: Request for mobile number via reply thread hijacking
2d ago
Aug 25th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Brand impersonation: Automobile assistance associations
2d ago
Aug 25th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Header analysis
Sender analysis
Brand impersonation: Sedgwick Claims
2d ago
Aug 25th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Spoofing
Social engineering
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Header analysis
Service abuse: Facebook mail notification callback scam
2d ago
Aug 25th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Spoofing
Sender analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Brand impersonation: United States Patent and Trademark Office
2d ago
Aug 25th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Credential Phishing: Bitcoin portfolio confirmation
3d ago
Aug 24th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Header analysis
Attachment: PDF proposal with credential theft indicators
3d ago
Aug 24th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
PDF
Social engineering
Evasion
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Optical Character Recognition
URL analysis
VIP impersonation: Payment handoff with VIP display name authored fake threads
3d ago
Aug 24th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Impersonation: VIP
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Header analysis
Body: AI-generated invoice template artifacts
5d ago
Aug 22nd, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Spoofing
Natural Language Understanding
HTML analysis
Header analysis
Sender analysis
Link: Credential phishing with obfuscated JavaScript redirect
6d ago
Aug 21st, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Open redirect
Evasion
Scripting
Social engineering
Natural Language Understanding
URL analysis
Javascript analysis
Job scam with specific salary pattern
7d ago
Aug 20th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Header analysis
Sender analysis
Service abuse: AWS SNS callback scam impersonation
7d ago
Aug 20th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Out of band pivot
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Brand impersonation: Aramco
7d ago
Aug 20th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Impersonation: Brand
Lookalike domain
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
HTML analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Service abuse: Arketa notification callback scam
8d ago
Aug 19th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Social engineering
Impersonation: Brand
Evasion
Out of band pivot
Natural Language Understanding
Content analysis
Sender analysis
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