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
Malware/Ransomware
Extortion
Tactics & Techniques (21):
Social engineering
Free subdomain host
Encryption
Evasion
PDF
Free email provider
Impersonation: Brand
Spoofing
HTML smuggling
Out of band pivot
Impersonation: Employee
QR code
Image as content
Open redirect
Free file host
Impersonation: VIP
Scripting
ICS Phishing
Lookalike domain
Macros
IPFS
Rule Name & Severity
Last Updated
Author
Types, Tactics & Capabilities
Brand impersonation: Cloud services with credential theft intent
5d ago
Jun 18th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Service abuse: Google Firebase sender address with suspicious content
5d ago
Jun 18th, 2026
Sublime Security
Spam
Credential Phishing
Free subdomain host
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
HTML analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Whois
Attachment: Encrypted PDF with credential theft body
6d ago
Jun 17th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Encryption
Evasion
PDF
Social engineering
Content analysis
Exif analysis
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Reconnaissance: Short generic greeting message
6d ago
Jun 17th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Callback Phishing
Social engineering
Free email provider
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Fake thread with suspicious indicators
6d ago
Jun 17th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Spam
Evasion
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Brand impersonation: Survey request with credential theft indicators
6d ago
Jun 17th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Impersonation: Brand
Spoofing
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Fake Zoom meeting invite with suspicious link
7d ago
Jun 16th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Evasion
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
URL analysis
HTML content with print styling and credential theft language
7d ago
Jun 16th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Evasion
HTML smuggling
Social engineering
Content analysis
HTML analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Service abuse: IBM IAM account notification with callback scam indicators
7d ago
Jun 16th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Out of band pivot
Sender analysis
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Advance Fee Fraud (AFF) from freemail provider or suspicious TLD
8d ago
Jun 15th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Credential phishing: Generic document sharing
8d ago
Jun 15th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Evasion
Impersonation: Employee
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
URL analysis
Sender analysis
Scam soliciting employer review/rating
11d ago
Jun 12th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Impersonation: Brand
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Header analysis
Sender analysis
Callback phishing via Apple ID display name abuse
12d ago
Jun 11th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Out of band pivot
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Link: Credential theft with Cloudflare tunnel and recipient targeting
13d ago
Jun 10th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Evasion
Natural Language Understanding
Content analysis
URL analysis
Attachment: PDF with QR code containing recipient-specific credential theft content
13d ago
Jun 10th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
PDF
QR code
Social engineering
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
QR code analysis
Content analysis
Brand impersonation: Zoom
18d ago
Jun 5th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Evasion
Computer Vision
Content analysis
HTML analysis
Natural Language Understanding
URL analysis
Credential phishing: Engaging language and other indicators (untrusted sender)
18d ago
Jun 5th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Free email provider
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
URL analysis
HR impersonation via e-sign agreement comment
18d ago
Jun 5th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Evasion
Impersonation: Brand
Out of band pivot
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Credential phishing: Suspicious subject with urgent financial request and link
18d ago
Jun 5th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Brand impersonation: Microsoft Planner with suspicious link
18d ago
Jun 5th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Evasion
Image as content
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
URL analysis
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