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
Spam
Callback Phishing
Extortion
Malware/Ransomware
Tactics & Techniques (20):
Social engineering
Impersonation: Brand
PDF
QR code
Image as content
Out of band pivot
Spoofing
Free file host
Encryption
Evasion
Open redirect
Free subdomain host
Impersonation: VIP
Free email provider
Impersonation: Employee
Lookalike domain
Macros
Scripting
IPFS
HTML smuggling
Rule Name & Severity
Last Updated
Author
Types, Tactics & Capabilities
Credential phishing: 'Secure message' and engaging language
5d ago
Apr 15th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Brand impersonation: Amazon with suspicious attachment
6d ago
Apr 14th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Computer Vision
File analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Optical Character Recognition
Sender analysis
Advance Fee Fraud (AFF) from freemail provider or suspicious TLD
6d ago
Apr 14th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Spam: Website errors solicitation
6d ago
Apr 14th, 2026
Sublime Security
Spam
Content analysis
Sender analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Attachment: Compensation review lure with QR code
6d ago
Apr 14th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
PDF
QR code
Social engineering
File analysis
Optical Character Recognition
QR code analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Header analysis
Brand impersonation: USPS
7d ago
Apr 13th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Image as content
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Callback phishing via Microsoft comment
7d ago
Apr 13th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Out of band pivot
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Attachment: PDF with credential theft language and invalid reply-to domain
10d ago
Apr 10th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
PDF
Social engineering
Spoofing
File analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Content analysis
Cloud storage impersonation with credential theft indicators
11d ago
Apr 9th, 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
Brand impersonation: McAfee
11d ago
Apr 9th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
BEC/Fraud
Callback Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Attachment: Encrypted PDF with credential theft body
11d ago
Apr 9th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Encryption
Evasion
PDF
Social engineering
Content analysis
Exif analysis
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Callback phishing via Apple ID display name abuse
12d ago
Apr 8th, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Out of band pivot
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Attachment: Calendar invite with Google redirect and invoice request
12d ago
Apr 8th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
BEC/Fraud
Open redirect
Social engineering
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
URL analysis
QR Code with suspicious indicators
14d ago
Apr 6th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
QR code
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Computer Vision
Natural Language Understanding
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
URL analysis
Brand impersonation: Toronto-Dominion Bank
17d ago
Apr 3rd, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Optical Character Recognition
Sender analysis
Attachment: Legal themed message or PDF with suspicious indicators
17d ago
Apr 3rd, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Extortion
BEC/Fraud
Evasion
PDF
Social engineering
Content analysis
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Optical Character Recognition
URL analysis
Whois
Header analysis
Exif analysis
Attachment: Cold outreach with invitation subject and not attachment
17d ago
Apr 3rd, 2026
Sublime Security
Spam
Social engineering
Image as content
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
File analysis
Service abuse: Google Firebase sender address with suspicious content
18d ago
Apr 2nd, 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
Credential phishing: Generic document share template
20d ago
Mar 31st, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Evasion
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Business Email Compromise: Request for mobile number via reply thread hijacking
20d ago
Mar 31st, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Social engineering
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
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