Phishing is a cybercrime where attackers impersonate legitimate entities to deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive information like passwords or financial data through emails, text messages, or fake websites.
It often involves convincing messages or links that appear genuine, tricking victims into providing personal details, which are then used for fraudulent activities such as identity theft or financial fraud.
Phishing attacks can target anyone, from individuals to large organizations, exploiting human psychology and trust in familiar brands or institutions to manipulate victims into divulging confidential information.
Common phishing tactics include urgent requests for account verification or warnings of suspicious activity, designed to induce panic or fear, prompting victims to respond impulsively without verifying the legitimacy of the communication.
To mitigate phishing risks, individuals and organizations should practice vigilance, scrutinize incoming messages for signs of phishing attempts, verify sender identities, and educate themselves about phishing tactics to avoid falling victim to such scams